Communication Minister Sam Nartey George says Ghanaians will enjoy cheaper and enhanced data bundles on five national holidays this year following a breakthrough agreement with telcos.
Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Tuesday, the Ningo Prampram MP revealed details of the deal reached with telco CEOs and outlined broader plans to make data more affordable.
“I went to the CEOs with 18 holidays in the country, asking that they do what they did on Independence Day,” he said. “They said I was going to collapse and bankrupt the businesses.”
After back-and-forth negotiations, a compromise was reached. “We agreed on five national holidays,” he disclosed.
“Independence Day, May Day, Republic Day, Founders’ Day, and Farmers’ Day. On these five days, there will be specialised data bundles, cheaper rates for every Ghanaian.”
The initiative builds on the Independence Day data relief that offered enhanced packages. “What we did on Independence Day, the enhanced bundles — that’s going to be replicated,” he confirmed.
Sam George stressed that this isn’t the end of the push for lower prices. He set up a committee that has already submitted a roadmap.
“People said I promised prices would drop in 14 days. No. I said I would get a roadmap in 14 days,” he clarified. “And in 13 days, the committee submitted it.”
That roadmap contains short, medium, and long-term solutions.
“In the short term, we are not in a position to drop prices across the whole spectrum,” he admitted. “So we’ve picked specific demographics.”
The Ministry, with help from the regulator, is now building databases to target those groups.
“Once we have the data sets of individuals we are targeting, the announcement will be made,” he said. “I met with the stakeholders today who must provide that data.”
The effort has received full support from telcos. “I met all three CEOs. And all three agreed we needed to do something about data prices.”
Beyond the immediate plans, the minister identified taxation and power costs as structural barriers. “Taxation is a big part of it,” he said. “And the cost build-up in terms of power.”
He announced that the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission will be engaged to create a telecom tariff, similar to what exists for mining firms.
“Mining gets bulk power at a preferential rate. Telecom doesn’t, even though towers across Ghana are consuming power. That must change.”
Through this multi-pronged approach, the minister believes meaningful and sustainable data pricing reform can be achieved.
“This is not just a talk shop,” he said. “We’re putting in the work.”
He also expressed deep appreciation to industry players.
“I must say I’m extremely grateful to the three telcos. They’ve shown commitment.”
The Communication Minister made it clear that while change won’t happen overnight, Ghanaians will soon begin to feel the impact.
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