Data cost: Only Finance Minister can scrap telecom tariffs — Sam George

The Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has said only the Minister for Finance has the legal authority to remove tariff components on telecommunication services.

This comes in response to renewed public calls for a reduction in the cost of data bundles.

Many tech experts and social media users have complained about the high charges, with some urging the Minister to act swiftly.

Among them is a popular Ghanaian tech YouTuber known as Tech in Twi, who has been actively advocating for the removal of tariffs on telcos to ease consumer burden.

Mr. George, who had previously joined similar calls when he was Ranking Member on Parliament’s Communications Committee, responded to the YouTuber’s latest post on Sunday, May 18, clarifying the limitations of his current role.

“I am impressed with the enthusiasm in your advocacy, but facts remain facts. You have rightly diagnosed the tariffs in the price build-up for data,” he stated.

He continued, “Maybe it is important to educate you, 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.”

Mr. George further noted, “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.”

Despite these limitations, he assured the public that other measures are being considered.

“Even though tariff reductions bring the biggest relief, they are not the only options available to me. I am happy with the direction of the conversation with the Finance and Energy Ministers in the medium term. In the short term, the regulator would be implementing policy for immediate effects to be felt,” he said.