Sam George
The Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Sam George says he cannot direct telecommunication companies to reduce the prices of data in a free market economy, despite his consistent calls on the erstwhile New Patriotic Party (NPP) government to reduce data prices.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday in Accra on current data offerings by the telcos, the minister indicated that his mandate does not extend to interfering in pricing by private investors.
He said, “My mandate as Minister in a free market economy does not extend to interfering in the pricing by private sector investors. Just like the Minister for Trade does not have the power to direct Ghana Union of Traders’ Associations (GUTA) members to drop their prices unilaterally, the Communications Minister cannot unilaterally direct price reductions.”
Although announcing a new 10% increase in data values provided by Telecel and AirtelTigo as well as a 15% increment by MTN, which take effect on July 1, he acknowledged the huge cost of the new directive to the mobile telecom companies.
While in opposition, Sam George was one of the key members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) who fiercely criticised the NPP government, particularly his predecessor, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, for outrageous data bundle prices.
The minister, who was also a member of the Communications Committee in Parliament, said the NPP government deliberately failed to address the high cost of data charges with the recalibration of the VAT, and NHIL and GETFund levies.
He had promised to implement reforms to make data more affordable when the NDC assumed office, given the hardship Ghanaians were facing.
Social media users have in the last few months since the NDC assumed the reins of power tagged the minister and demanded him to fulfil his promises of ensuring that prices of data bundles become more affordable.
The minister, while addressing concerns of some Ghanaians on X (formerly Twitter) on the supposedly high data cost by the telcos, said no minister except the Minister for Finance through an instrument could remove tax or tariff.
“Maybe it is important to educate since you may be unfamiliar with the laws of Ghana that 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. So, you may tag me a thousand times in a post, but the fact is that until we get the Minister for Finance to approve the removal or reduction of sector-specific tariffs, it is all enthusiasm and not facts,” he said.
By Ebenezer K. Amponsah