Ghana’s Minister for Communication Technology and Innovation, Mr Samuel Nartey George, says the government is taking deliberate steps to make mobile data more affordable by focusing on evidence-based reforms rather than emotional calls for price cuts.
In an exclusive interview with the Ghana News Agency, Mr George acknowledged that despite perceptions of Ghana having relatively cheaper data in Africa, affordability remains a challenge when compared with local income levels. With 1GB of data costing around GHS17—almost equal to the daily minimum wage of GHS19.97—many citizens find regular internet access financially burdensome.
To address this, the government is implementing a carefully crafted roadmap developed by a 23-member Inter-Agency Data Pricing Committee. After two weeks of intensive consultations, the committee produced a structured plan aimed at ensuring fairness and sustainability across telecom providers.
Mr George highlighted that past efforts to reduce data costs failed due to rushed implementation and lack of system readiness. This time, however, he emphasized that the Ministry’s approach prioritizes value, quality of service, and market competitiveness. “We cannot just increase prices on one provider to shift users if others do not offer the same quality,” he noted.
He revealed that in the coming months, Ghanaians will enjoy greater data volumes at the same or lower prices, as part of a broader strategy to improve digital access.
Supporting the initiative, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has dispatched a team to Ghana to independently assess the pricing landscape. Their findings will guide future reforms, ensuring affordability aligns with both consumer needs and infrastructure realities.
Ultimately, Mr George affirmed that the Ministry’s focus is on delivering sustainable, value-driven solutions that empower Ghanaians to access the internet without breaking the bank.
