Residents of Sakori and its neighboring communities, including Fungu and Fio in the North East Region, are facing significant challenges due to the absence of a reliable telecommunication network. This situation is hindering basic human activities and isolating them from the rest of the country.
According to Ghana News Agency, the only available network in these communities is MTN, which is accessible in Fio but only under two specific trees that are distant apart. Mr. Iddrisu Mohammed, a resident of Fio, expressed the community’s frustration, noting that their mobile phones are virtually useless, impacting their ability to communicate and stay informed. This lack of connectivity has also raised safety concerns, as residents are unable to make urgent calls when necessary. Abdul Kadir Yakubu, a mobile money vendor in the area, shared how the network problem has forced him to close his shop and serve customers under the trees where some network is available. Mr. Mohammed Tia Yahaya, Assembly Man of the area, mentioned the efforts made over the years to address these network challenges, including the installation of two small poles by MTN, which have proven insufficient.
The Ghanaian government has launched the Ghana Rural Telephony and Digital Inclusion project to extend basic telephony voice and data connectivity throughout the country. Despite this initiative, communities like Sakori, Fungu, and Fio continue to struggle with access to basic phone voice and data connectivity.