The vice president Dr Mamoudu Bawumia has cut the sod for the
commencement of the construction of the 42 million us Dollar, western corridor
fibre optic project in Takoradi in the Western Region.
The project involves the
development, financing, construction and operation of an ultra-modern
Backhaul and Broadband Communication Infrastructure covering the Western
Corridor of Ghana to enhance service delivery, supervision, education and the
provision of E-Services required under the National Information
Communication Technology for Accelerated Development Policy.
The project financed by the infrastructure investment fund, GIIF, will involve in
the laying of about 881 Km inland fibre optic cables for the extensive
broadband network along the western corridor. The project is a private sector-
led initiative by Spectrum Fibre Company, a wholly owned special purpose
vehicle, SPV, set up to execute the project.
Since coming into office in January 2017 the government of His Excellency
Nana Addo Dankwa Akoffo Addo, has remained committed to the
transformation of the Ghanaian economy. The Vice President stressed the need
for more efficient ways for government to conduct it’s business, especially in
the delivery of public services to citizens regardless of where they live across
the country.
He added that there is need to improve the system in order to improve
productivity and reduce waste and that can be achieved through digitization and
the effective use of information technology
In April this year the Eastern Corridor fibre optic extension project was
completed. It linked Ho to Accra linking 120 communities along the way . At
that ceremony, the minister of communication Ursula Owusu made a point that
for need to complete the link around the country and required working on the
western corridor and the offshore links.
The minister also revealed that project of linking the country with fibre optic
was a task government couldn’t handle on its own and called for the private
partner with government to make it a reality.
The Vice President added that he is pleased with the role that Ghana
Infrastructure Investment Fund, GIIF has played in the project. The government
established GIIF to help Ghana develop its ICT infrastructure and support
private sector solutions and private finance.
He said it was gratifying to see
GIIF respond to this challenge by working with local Ghanaians policies toprovide this critical communications infrastructure without relying on
government budget. He added he was looking forward to seeing GIIF undertake
more protects in the near future.
Expected to be completed in 18, the fibre optic link will be passing through
major towns such as Takoradi, Atuabo, Elubo, Enchi, and other towns in the
northern parts of the western region and further connect to other towns in the
Brong Ahafo region including Goaso, Brekum and Sunyani, to complete the
loop in the Ashanti regional capital Kumasi with the creation of some 12,000
jobs.
His Excellency Dr. Bawumia asserted that the economic and social benefits of
enhancing ICT infrastructure needs no explanation. Whether it’s about National
ID system, digital address systems, land titling and land administration, as well
as payment system, the country’s digitalisation effort rests on the back of having
the necessary fibre optic infrastructure which will see better delivery of
education, health and agricultural services. After the completion of this phase of
the project, the second phase will be installation of undersea cables to provide
various connectivity and ICT cables SERVICES for the various offs shore
projects facilities.
The Fibre Optic Project being undertaken by GIIF demonstrates the
government’s desire local private partnerships and the attempt by Spectroship
Fibre to lay the fibre optic cable through some marginalised communities within
the western corridor of Ghana will serve as a critical catalyst for economic and
social renewal of those communities.
He also encouraged the private sector to take a bold step and capitalize on the
opportunities that these projects will provide for new economic streams of
business within the western corridor.
He further appealed to all stakeholders including the chiefs and queenmothers to
also add the necessary support that is required to ensure successful completion
of the project, he also called for unity and understanding from the residents and
everyone involved, stating that the private sector led initiative will enable
government realize its aim of providing all communities in the country with
affordable broadband access, no matter how remote they might be. This he
believes will open up more business opportunities for the youth.
Source: www.thepressradio.com/ Ghana/ Shella Morcher
