Minister for Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations, Mr. Sam Nartey George, has reaffirmed his commitment to reducing internet data costs in Ghana before the end of 2025.
Speaking at the World Telecommunications and Information Society Day event on May 19, Mr. George addressed growing public pressure particularly on social media for immediate action to make data more affordable. He cited a wave of tweets urging the removal of over 39% in tariffs on data purchases as a step toward price relief.
“I’ve been trending over the weekend on Twitter because people think data costs must be cheaper by just the stroke of my pen. I wish I could fix it arbitrarily, but it takes a carefully calculated effort.” he remarked.
To tackle the issue, Mr. George disclosed that he had established a special committee tasked with crafting a pragmatic roadmap within a two-week time-frame. “In 13 days, they delivered a roadmap. We’re dealing with 8 years of distortion of the market,” he explained.
His assurance comes amid persistent concerns about Ghana’s high data costs compared to other African markets. Industry stakeholders have long called for regulatory and policy interventions to increase competition, reduce tax burdens, and encourage infrastructure investment.
“My promise was that by the end of this year we will see prices drop, and my promise remains. Just trust the process,” Mr. George reiterated.
In April, he had noted that while he lacks unilateral power to slash prices, he is committed to using sound policy to ensure internet affordability for Ghanaians. The minister’s latest remarks signal a data pricing overhaul may be in sight, contingent on the successful implementation of the newly proposed roadmap.
