Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Sam Nartey George has cleared the air on the delay in data cost reduction in Ghana and efforts being made to enhance internet access and connectivity.
The NDC led government has kept Ghanaians on edge following promises made to reduce data costs in Ghana during campaign tours in 2024.
The Minister in a threaded post on X revealed that many Ghanaian netizens have tagged him to reduce data cost by cutting down tariffs that have been placed on data purchases. He noted in the post that his efforts to reduce data cost would be futile without the establishment of an instrument laid before parliament.
“Maybe it is important to educate you since you may be unfamiliar with the laws of Ghana, that no Minister, except the Minister for Finance through an instrument laid before Parliament can REMOVE any tax or tariff handle as it affects government revenue. So you may tag me in a thousand posts but the fact is that until we get the Minister for Finance to approve the removal or reduction of sector specific tariffs,it is all enthusiasm and not facts.” he intimated.
The Minister revealed that his Ministry and others are in talks to produce alternatives that are sure to bring about solutions to the data cost conundrum in Ghana. “I am however glad that even though tariff reductions bring the biggest relief, they are not the only options available to me. I am happy with the direction of the conversation with the Finance and Energy Ministers in the medium term. In the short term, the regulator would be implementing policy for immediate effects to be felt.”
See full post below:
I am impressed with the enthusiasm in your advocacy but facts remain facts. You have rightly diagnosed the tariffs in the price build up for data. Maybe it is important to educate you since you may be unfamiliar with the laws of Ghana, that no Minister, except the Minister for… https://t.co/tlugzEFQtd
— Sam ‘Dzata’ George 🦁🇬🇭 (@samgeorgegh) May 18, 2025
