Mr Terry Ampofo, a Vodafone Ghana client has alleged that unsafe broadband fibre exposure from Vodafone is posing threats to clients inside their rooms due to metallic stiffener carrying the fibre.
The man said his brother allegedly died from electrocution by the fibre broadband extended to his home on a poll close to a high voltage electrical power cable mounted by the Electricity Company of Ghana.
Narration the incident at a media briefing in Accra, Mr Ampofo said just over a year ago, the actions of agents of Vodafone Ghana resulted in the death of his junior brother Michael Ampofo.
He said since the incident happened, reports after reports have indicated that Vodafone Ghana was liable because it installed fibre broadband cable too close to ECG’s 11,000 volts high-tension cable, which Mr Ampofo noted is against industry and international standards.
He noted that the incident has led to a great loss to the family including his three young children who lost their dependency on their father and have been left with a great deal of emotional tremor.
Mr Ampofo said one of the children who sadly discovered the father’s burnt body has since been suffering from sleep disorder.
He said calling the attention of Vodafone Ghana and the public had become necessary because “this bad installation that killed my brother may be all over the country, and others could be affected”.
He said the public need to know that the dangers are still prevalent because Vodafone Ghana has done a similar type of installation in his house, where it used ECG high voltage cable to support the fibre broadband cable serving his internet.
He noted that experts have confirmed that the metal that runs along fibre cable should not enter premises exposed, noting that fibre cable on its own cannot carry electricity but these Vodafone Ghana fibre cables have metal stiffeners running along them.
According to him, when Vodafone Ghana’s cable come into contact with an electric cable, the insulation material can be exposed and transmit electricity to the premises and it is very easy for a customer to accidentally touch the exposed metal which is left very close to the routers.
Mr Ampofo said person who touches the exposed metal stiffeners in Vodafone Ghana’s broadband cable ran the risk of serious injuries or even death.
He stated that experts have confirmed that the metal that runs along fibre cable should not enter the premises of homes exposed.
“Fibre cables on their own cannot carry electricity but these Vodafone fibre cables have metal stiffeners running along them.
“When they touch an electric cable, the insulation material can be exposed and transmit electricity to the premises and it’s very easy for a customer to accidentally touch the exposed metal, which is left very close to the routers,” he said.
Advice to Vodafone Broadband Customers
Mr Ampofo said for safety reasons, every Vodafone Ghana broadband customers should check how their cable is connected from outside to their houses to make sure the fibre and ECG cable is not too close.
Response from Vodafone
When this paper contacted Vodafone Ghana, it issued a statement to that effect acknowledging knowledge of the incident.
The statement from Vodafone Ghana said the unfortunate event that led to the death of Mr Michael Yaw Twum Ampofo happened at Ashaley Botwe, Greater Accra, on February 19 2021.
Vodafone Ghana said it has cooperated fully and transparently with all the relevant agencies throughout the investigation process.
Vodafone said on October 22 2021, the authorised representative of the deceased initiated legal action against Vodafone Ghana and that the matter is currently in court and accordingly unable to make any further comment at the time of going to press.
GNA