The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations, Sam George, has clarified that no sector minister has the authority to reduce or remove tariffs on data prices without the involvement of the Minister for Finance and parliamentary approval.
His response came after an X user, @tech_twi, raised concerns about the high cost of mobile data in Ghana, urging government officials to prioritise reducing tariffs, which the user claimed make up over 39% of every data purchase.
“Eyes fixed on the prize is great, but the real prize is affordable data. By your own words, there’s over 39% in tariffs on every data purchase — tariffs that were never passed through Parliament under the previous government. Removing those tariffs will cut data prices before pushing further. But right now, that 39% goes straight into your account using your own words. So the longer you delay, the more you profit. There’s no prize in promising — The true victory lies in eliminating that 39% and still pushing to make data more affordable to the public.”
Responding directly on X, Sam George acknowledged the concern but emphasised the legal and institutional limitations of his office.
“I am impressed with the enthusiasm in your advocacy, but facts remain facts,” he wrote. “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.”
He added that tagging him repeatedly on social media would not change the legal reality, stating, “Until we get the Minister for Finance to approve the removal or reduction of sector-specific tariffs, it is all enthusiasm and not facts.”
Despite these constraints, the MP reassured the public that efforts are ongoing to address the cost of data.
He said discussions are underway with the Ministers for Finance and Energy to explore medium-term solutions, while the regulator is expected to roll out short-term policies to provide some immediate relief.
