Residents of Sakai, in the Sissala East District of the Upper West Region have expressed their disappointment at the poor telecommunications network and have issued a stark warning that they would boycott the 2024 general elections if the issue is not solved.
The community has been grappling with severe mobile network issues, which significantly impact their daily lives.This problem hinders the use of mobile phones and other essential devices that affect the entire community.
Without reliable communication channels, healthcare and education services suffer and the residents cannot make emergency calls or conduct business over the phone.
Despite Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s advocacy for a digital shift to spur national development, Sakai remains disconnected. Dr. Bawumia has emphasised the necessity of digitalization for progress, but this policy requires universal telecommunication access, which Sakai lacks.
The youth of Sakai, frustrated by the neglect of government, held a press conference on Friday, August 1, 2024. They expressed their disappointment and issued a stark warning that they would boycott the 2024 general elections if their network problem remained unresolved.
“No Network, No Vote” is their rallying cry, which underscores their demand for inclusion in the digital future of the nation.The enthusiasm of the youth was overwhelming during the press conference as they held placards, some of which read:‘No Network, No Vote’ and ‘We Mean Business.’
The press conference by the youth of Sakai highlights the general issue of network connectivity in rural areas, which calls for urgent government action to bridge the digital divide.
Addressing the press conference, Mr. Saani Kantongboku, the youth president of Sakai, highlighted the severe consequences of the problem.He explained that nurses sometimes have to leave the health facility to verify patients’ health insurance cards at designated spots with network connectivity.
He added that this situation has also deterred some nurses and government officials from accepting postings in Sakai.He painted a grim picture of the local economy while emphasising that businesses cannot thrive under these conditions, as the situation creates a significant developmental gap between Sakai and other regions.
Kantongboku Gbene Elijah, the assembly member for the area, echoed the same concerns. He believes that the neglect of Sakai by the government stems from a perception that they are not truly part of Ghana, despite their contributions through taxes.
The national security ministry has initiated a campaign called “See Something, Say Something,” urging the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities or individuals to security agencies.
The Sissala East District, which borders Burkina Faso, has seen a surge in terrorist activity. Elijah expressed concerns about this risk, noting that if terrorists were to infiltrate the community, residents would be unable to make emergency calls.
“If we hear terrorists are coming, the only thing we can do in the community is to run into our houses because you can’t go to the bush to make calls to report the matter,” the assembly member remarked.
Despite writing multiple letters to the assembly about the network issue, he is yet to receive a response, saying“I started talking about it when I got in as assembly member. For now, I have not received any response.”He added that the urgency of the situation prompted the community to organise the press conference to bring their concerns to the authorities.
The Sakai community, surrounded by several other communities such as Nankpawie, Kong, Lilixia, Sakallu, Sentie, Jijen, Bandei and Bakwala collectively comprise of approximately 30,000 residents, all without network coverage.
Sakai itself, the third largest community in the Sissala East Municipal, has around 9,000 residents who face numerous challenges due to network constraints.The residents of Sakai are calling for immediate government intervention to ensure they are not left behind in the digital age.
