Telcos abandon Tain communities; residents climb trees for network

Residents of Agyawiam in the Tain District of the Bono Region are literally risking their lives in a desperate search for a mobile network, as they climb trees and trek to hilltops just to make emergency calls.

A visit by The Chronicle to the community uncovered a disturbing reality of total telecommunications blackout, where residents are trekking through bushy hills and exposing themselves to poisonous reptiles just to stay connected.
The situation, best described as both inhumane and dangerous is not limited to Agyawiam.

The Chronicle checks revealed that Bofourkrom and Abronye communities are equally cut off from telecom services, leaving thousands of residents stranded in the digital wilderness.
In Agyawiam, a community of over 1,500 people, the absence of a network has turned basic communication into a life-threatening gamble.

Residents are forced to walk long distances to hilly and bushy areas, where they often encounter snakes and other poisonous reptiles, while searching for network signals.
Some residents told The Chronicle that they have narrowly escaped scorpion and snake bites during these dangerous attempts, while others have suffered attacks.

Yet they have no choice but to continue risking their lives to stay connected.
The situation, the residents noted, has turned medical emergencies into life-threatening ordeals, where motor riders are forced to race against time to nearby towns, such as Nsawkaw and Badu, in search of vehicles or ambulances to transport pregnant women in labour and critically ill patients.

Acting Odikro of Agyawiam, Nana Kwaku Firi, expressed outrage over what he described as years of neglect.

“Our people are suffering. In emergencies, there is no way to call for help. Now our people even risk snake bites just to get a network.

“This is unacceptable. We are pleading with authorities and telecom companies to come to our aid immediately,” he said.
The Assembly Member for the area, Prince Wayini, also raised serious concerns, warning that the lack of telecommunications infrastructure is stifling development across the area.

“This situation is affecting the development of our communities. Without a network, businesses cannot grow, education is suffering and emergency response is almost impossible. We are appealing to the government to take immediate action to address this problem,” he stressed.

Ms. Immaculate Derry, a female plumber and resident, lamented the deepening hardship caused by the lack of connectivity. “If your partner lives outside this community, you cannot communicate at all. In this age, we cannot even go on social media. The youth are missing so many opportunities. It is no longer funny,” she said.

As Ghana pushes forward with digital transformation, the residents are calling on the Tain District Assembly, the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation and telecom providers to urgently extend network coverage to the affected areas.
Attempt by The Chronicle to get some responses from the District Chief Executive for Tain, Mr. Iddrisa Salia was unsuccessful, as he was said to be out of the district for other official engagements at the time of our visit.

By Edmond Gyebi

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