Ghana Village Gets Spotlight After Mountain Phone Trek

A remote Ghanaian community's six-year struggle to stay connected is sparking action that could help thousands of rural villages get reliable phone service.

Since 2018, residents of Numereso in Ghana's Ashanti region have faced an impossible choice: stay isolated or hike up a mountain for over three hours just to get a mobile signal. Many hire motorbikes to reach the spot, adding financial strain to an already difficult situation.

Isaac Kyei Baffour Abebrese, the village's Unit Committee Secretary, says the lack of connectivity creates real dangers. When robberies or emergencies happen, there's no way to quickly call police for help.

Privacy has become another casualty of the digital divide. Personal conversations happen in open bush areas where anyone can overhear, and residents carrying phones to the mountain spot have become targets for criminals.

Community leaders have reported the problem to government officials and telecommunications companies repeatedly over the years. Their persistence is finally getting attention beyond their district borders.

The Ripple Effect

Numereso's story is highlighting a challenge facing rural communities across Ghana and West Africa. As their situation gains visibility, it's pushing conversations about digital equity to the forefront of regional development discussions.

Telecommunications companies are now facing public pressure to extend coverage to underserved areas. Government officials are being called to prioritize rural connectivity as essential infrastructure, not a luxury.

The attention on Numereso could lead to policy changes that benefit countless villages facing similar isolation. When one community speaks up about being left behind in the digital age, it opens doors for others to demand the same basic access that urban areas take for granted.

Rural connectivity means more than convenience. It means farmers can check market prices, students can access educational resources, and families can reach emergency services when seconds count.

Numereso's residents continue their mountain climbs while waiting for solutions, but their voices are finally being heard.