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The Minister of Communication, Ursula Owusu Ekuful has warned that individuals caught interfering with cables of telecommunication companies will be severely punished.

The caution follows numerous reports by telcos on cable theft resulting in poor service delivery.

MTN, for instance has in recent times complained about frequent fiber cuts by illegal miners.

In an interview with Citi Business News, Mrs. Owusu Ekuful stated that the ministry would push for severe punishment for people engaged in cable theft.

“The impact its having on the service that is provided [is bad], people are complaining about poor service, call drops and all that, when people go around cutting the fiber of course it is going to have an impact on services,” she lamented.

She pointed out that the activities of cable theft also affects government business since state agencies rely on internet connectivity to operate efficiently.

“Even NEETA which is providing services to all the government institutions[is affected] so it is not something we should encourage. we need to increase advocacy around encouraging people to stop because it has not just caused an inconvenience but it is affecting the way we live and work,” she said.

She added that individuals caught cutting cables would not go unpunished.
“We need to step up the punitive measures once people rearrested we need to make sure the law takes it course” she said.

Mr. Owusu Ekuful made these comments at the Vodafone head office where she paid a courtesy call.