How Nwawasua residents climb trees and mountains top in search of good internet connectivity, calls
A poor telecommunications network has denied residents of Nwawasua and adjoining communities in the Sunyani Municipality access to reliable internet connectivity, limiting their ability to fully participate in the digital space.
At a time when technological advancement is increasingly turning the world into a global village, residents of the farming community say the persistent lack of reliable telecommunications and internet services has become a major source of frustration.
Internet connectivity is recognised under Goal Nine of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which focuses on Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure and promotes universal and affordable access to information and communications technology (ICT).
Similarly, SDG Goal Four, which focuses on Quality Education, encourages countries to expand access to digital tools and high-speed school connectivity to support remote learning by 2030.
During a visit to the community, residents told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that accessing a reliable network often requires them to leave the community or climb elevated locations.
“Poor telecommunication and internet connectivity are one of our major challenges now,” a student, Martin Awudu, said.
“If you want to make even a mobile phone call here, you sometimes have to climb a tall tree or walk out of the community,” he said.
Another student, Joyce Anima, said the poor network had made it difficult for residents to communicate with relatives living in other parts of the country and abroad.
“Sometimes you have to walk several distances from the community before you can access the internet,” she said.
“Even if you are successfully connected, the poor network connectivity drains all your data without necessarily doing anything on the internet.”
The residents said the situation was particularly challenging for students and others who depend on internet services for education, communication and other activities.
They appealed to the government and telecommunication service providers to intervene by improving network infrastructure in the area to enable residents to access reliable telecommunications and internet services.
They said improved connectivity would help bridge the digital divide and allow residents to participate meaningfully in Ghana’s growing digital economy.
GNA