The Minister of Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu Ekuful, is slated to make an appearance before Parliament today, Monday, March 18, 2024, to address the recent internet outage that has persisted since Thursday, March 14.

Parliament anticipates a briefing from the Minister regarding the government’s efforts to prevent future occurrences of such disruptions. Both the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications and the National Communications Authority have issued statements attributing the internet disruption to an undersea fiber optic malfunction affecting internet services.

During discussions in Parliament on Friday, March 15, North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, urged the Minister’s presence in the House to provide clarity on the extent of the damage and the government’s response to the situation. Expressing concerns over the disruption’s impact on various aspects of daily life, including financial transactions, Ablakwa emphasized the significance of addressing the issue promptly, considering its implications for national security.

Similarly, Asawase MP, Muntaka Mubarak, criticized the delay in the Minister’s briefing to Parliament, stressing the importance of proactive communication from government officials to assuage public concerns and prevent speculation.

In response, Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin assured MPs of the Minister’s forthcoming statement on Monday, March 18. He clarified that the Minister had initially intended to present her briefing on that day and had reached out to him accordingly.

Meanwhile, the National Communications Authority has disclosed ongoing efforts by telecommunication engineers to repair the damaged fiber cables affecting data services in Ghana and other West African countries.