Communication Minister pledges engagement-led leadership to revitalize telecommunications

The Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, Mr Samuel Nartey George, has reiterated his commitment to an engagement-led leadership style aimed at transforming the telecommunication sector.

He emphasized the importance of involving all stakeholders, listening to their challenges, and working to address them to benefit the entire ecosystem.

Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday in Accra, he stated, “We need intense competition in the sector, but it must be healthy and sustainable.”

He stressed his commitment to providing value-added data bundle offerings, which he believes will ultimately lead to price reductions in the medium to long term.

“Recovering from decades of mismanagement is a substantial challenge that can not be accomplished in just four months,” he said.

Mr George mentioned that he has mandated all Mobile Network Operators to make critical investments in their networks to improve quality over the next quarter, from July to September.

He added, “The regulator will commence a rigorous quality of service assessment in the final quarter of the year, October to December. Defaulting operators will be sanctioned.”

The Minister revealed that all data bundles will experience a 10% increase effective July 1, 2025. He highlighted that Airtel Tigo’s 400 Ghana Cedis bundle will increase from 195 GB to 236gb, Telecel will raise its 400 Ghana Cedis bundle from 190 GB to 250 GB, and MTN will implement a 15% increase across all its data bundles and will restore the 399 Ghana Cedis bundle, increasing its offering from 92.88 GB to 214 GB.

He acknowledged the financial strain this may impose on network operators but expressed optimism about the positive outcomes for consumers.

Addressing public concerns regarding arbitrary price changes, the Minister assured that the National Communications Authority (NCA) has established a reliable billing verification system, adding that recent assessments confirmed that all data bundles were credited correctly, with no unexpected losses.

Mr George also mentioned that he is actively engaging with the Finance Ministry to rationalize tax components that contribute to a significant 39% tax burden on data prices. He believes that a reduction in these taxes will enable telecom companies to pass savings on to their customers.

The Minister expressed gratitude to the CEOs of the three major telecom companies for their commitment to invest approximately $1.2 million in the network between now and the end of the year to enhance the quality of service, either by acquisition of Spectrum or introduction or acquisition of new transmitters and equipment.

He reaffirmed his commitment to serving the people of Ghana, stating, “I will serve you with heart, with sweat, and with blood.”