Overview:
Transport from one place to another has been also affected, especially to those who use the travel apps as Uber, Yango, Tap n' Go, Visit Ghana, VIP Ticketing System, Bolt, Ghana Taxi, Tro Tro and others.
Until Thursday, 14th March 2024, the 13th edition of the African Games in Ghana had been progressing well bar a few technicalities here and there.
A dark cloud was cast onto the games after a sudden internet black out across the entire country of Ghana and the surrounding countries of Ivory Coast, Liberia, Benin and Burkina Faso.
This major outrage has been felt with adverse effects, virtually affecting the affluent flow of information from the games in Ghana to the rest of the world.
This is attributed to the destruction of the heavy internet cables across the gigantic Atlantic Ocean.
Many journalists’ work chores, broadcasting and general conveying of information from one party to another were severely affected with the communication barrage.
“I have failed to communicate with the home people. I am totally offline” Grace Mbabazi, a Uganda media attache complained as she watched Uganda’s 27-38 handball loss to Cameroon at the newly constructed Bortyman sports complex.
Games that heavily rely on technology for scoring purposes as boxing have been postponed and others halted.
“We have pushed ahead the boxing bouts until 10 PM (East African Time) as we rectify the situation” a communique from the boxing communication to the media read.
Transport from one place to another has been also affected, especially to those who use the travel apps as Uber, Yango, Tap n’ Go, Visit Ghana, VIP Ticketing System, Bolt, Ghana Taxi, Tro Tro and others.
Difficulties in connecting to the travel apps that use data connectivity became complex as soon as the internet system was distorted.
To move between our hotel (in East Lagon) and the Games Village where free transport is provided for the media, we had been using the Uber App. But, with the internet off for now two days, we have been stranded. Yesterday, to make my way back home, I had to hail a local cab and struggled with directions to the place. Additionally, the fare was more than double that levied by the App. We have improvised by calling known contacts to the hotel to pick and drop us in the mornings and evenings.
Ernest Akoreburungi, Kawowo Sports Journalist
According to an employee at a Telco company who prefered total anonymity due to the sensitity of the matter, the problem arose due to the failure of data transmission after destruction of the cables.
The Telcom worker narrates;
Data capacity is not generated from our soil but rather from Europe mainly to us in Ghana
The towers you see all over are transmission distribution outlets to ensure coverage.
The data capacity that is brought to Ghana is by third parties mainly aside GLO that has its own under water cable to transmit their data capacity by themselves.
Occasionally the cables under sea get cut or destroyed. Once in every 6-8 years by ships submarines, Sharks, deliberate attacks etc.
It takes an average of two weeks for contracted submarines and divers to detect where and repair.
Each telco has its main supplier and a backup in case there is disruption
Current cuts seems to be major, reason its affecting two major players, and they are struggling to channel traffic through alternative lines.
There is assurance that the appalling situation will be restored back to normal in the shortest period possible as the shining element to the games is reflected further.
By Friday evening, the situation was steadily being handled with a handful of people able to communicate on a shaky network that beeps on and gets off after five minutes.
When? It typically remains a total mystery as personality’s date of death.
*Also check Uganda medal tally as by Friday, 15th March 2024.
