A Fibre Optic Cable for Country

President John Agyekum Kufuor has officially commissioned the construction of phase One of Ghana's fibre optic backbone from the southern to the northern region of the country.

It is anticipated that the completion of the installation of the cable would enhance greater access to information, communications and technology by the close of 2007 and can facilitate communications during the upcoming CAN 2008.

The construction of the cable is also expected to serve as a platform for the implementation of the eGhana project and reduce the cost of bandwidth.

China's Huawei Technologies Company is installing the cable from the capital, Accra to Tamale in the Northern region at a cost of 30 million dollars.

The cost of constructing the cable across the whole country is estimated at 70 million dollars.

The first phase would see the cable tapped from the Volta River Authority's (power generator and transmitter) Voltacom fibre optic cable in Accra through Cape Coast in the Central Region, Takoradi in the Western Region, Nkawkaw in the Eastern Region, Kumasi in the Ashanti Region, Sunyani in the Brong Ahafo Region to Tamale in the Northern Region.

The President expressed hope that the construction of the cable would improve internet and telephony services in the country and urged thieves to refrain from stealing the cables that has become rampant in the country in recent years.