The government is committed to making affordable data bundles a reality for Ghanaians by the end of 2025. Speaking at an event to commemorate this year’s World Telecommunications and Information Society Day in Accra, Minister for Communications Samuel Nartey George addressed public expectations and outlined a clear road map toward reducing data costs across the country.
The event, held under the global theme “Gender Equality in Digital Transformation,” brought together key stakeholders in Ghana’s telecom space, including regulators, industry leaders, and representatives from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
Mr. George addressed recent social media discussions where he had trended over the weekend for public expectations surrounding data pricing. “People think data prices must be cheaper by the stroke of my pen,” he said.
He explained that a committee he established in February, comprising telecom operators and sector players, was tasked not with immediate price reductions but with developing a strategic road map to guide Ghana towards more affordable data bundles.
“In 13 days, that committee, working without receiving a penny from the taxpayers’ coffers, delivered a road map,” Sam George noted.
Mr. George emphasized that any solution must strike a balance between reducing data costs and maintaining industry viability. “I wish I could fix it arbitrarily, but it takes a very calculated attempt not to create further distortions by acting irrationally,” he added.
To further ensure transparency and data-driven decisions, the minister revealed that he has engaged the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to conduct an independent study on Ghana’s data tariffs. The findings, expected within eight weeks, will be aligned with reports from the National Communications Authority (NCA) to shape informed government policy.
Mr. George assured that he will not act arbitrarily or give directives that will affect the industry. ” What I will do is to consult with industry, consult with stakeholders, and make decisions that protect investment in Ghana but also ensure that Ghanaian customers and Ghanaian citizens have the best quality of service and get the best pricing for the services that they pay for.”
The minister further said that the cost of data prices will be reduced by the end of 2025. “To the young people of our country and the people of this country, my promise was that by the end of this year, we would see prices of data drop, and I remain committed to it. We will deliver on that, but trust the process. I trust the technical competence of the regulator to work with the telecom companies to ensure the viability of the businesses, but also ensure that we get better value for what we are paying.”
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