The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Hon. Sam George, is scheduled to hold a press briefing today, June 10, to address the Ghanaian public regarding digital pricing and the government’s efforts to help reduce the high cost of data prices in the country.
The event is expected to kick off at 2:00pm following numerous complaints by Ghanaians over recent surge in data prices imposed by leading telecommunication giants in the country.
A lot of Ghanaians have called out the minister for doing little about the high cost of data prices, a situation which he harshly criticised during the erstwhile Akufo-Addo’s administration describing the then minister Ursula Owusu as ineffective to the admiration of a lot of people.
“Breaking News: Sam George has increased your data prices from 330ghc to 360ghc without announcing it. He isn’t doing anything to reduce the price. Now you have the proof!’, an X user ‘Tech In Twi’ and ardent critic of the minister wrote.
The minister promised that rates would decrease and acknowledged the hardship that Ghanaians are experiencing due to the high cost of data, but he also stated that the Mahama administration will not act based on public sentiment or pressure from social media.
According to him, a 23-member Inter-Agency Data Pricing Committee has concluded 14 days of deliberation and formulated a roadmap for data pricing reform in the country. He asserts that the Ministry is presently implementing this strategy with meticulous consideration of policy sequencing.
He revealed that the first step his sector has taken is that consumers would receive more data for the same price subsequently followed by a reduction in data prices and enhancements in the services offered by telecommunications companies. He indicated that his ministry will guarantee that alternative networks receive equitable opportunity alongside dominant ones to promote fairness.
He further revealed that a delegation from International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has been dispatched to Ghana to undertake an independent baseline study. The Minister said that this review provides valuable information that would help guide the next step in pricing policy.
Mr. George expressed his belief that there will be value-related progress in the near future, specifically within the next few weeks to a month.
