Data prices have been reduced as promised, but Ghanaians are still not happy

By Delppy

In July 2025, Ghana’s Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, Hon. Samuel Nartey George, made good on a promise he boldly announced just a month earlier: mobile data prices would be adjusted to give users more value, and it has happened. From July 1, telecom providers including MTN Ghana, AT, and Telecel rolled out updated data bundles, giving users between 10 to 15 percent more data at the same price.

But despite this rollout, many Ghanaians remain disappointed. While the numbers on paper show improvement, users say the changes do not go far enough—and the underlying problems still exist.

What Has Changed?

• MTN Ghana: Now gives 15 percent more data across all bundles. The controversial GHS399 plan, once cut down, has been restored to 214 GB.
• AT Ghana: Increased data volumes by 10 percent. Its GHS400 plan now offers 236 GB, up from 195 GB.
• Telecel Ghana: Also gave a 10 percent bump, raising the GHS400 bundle to 250 GB, from a previous 90 GB.

This was all part of a larger government effort, driven by policy and backed by audits from the NCA and international telecom experts, to ensure Ghanaians get “more gigabytes at no extra cost.”

But Why Are Ghanaians Still Unhappy?

Despite the changes, the public response has been lukewarm, and for good reason:

• Data still feels expensive. While bundles have increased, the overall cost of accessing the internet remains high when compared to average incomes.
• Network quality is poor. Many users report that data depletes too fast, or that they are unable to enjoy the extra GBs due to slow and unstable networks.
• Trust in telcos is low. Several people believe the changes are “just numbers” and do not reflect actual usage improvements.
• No tax relief yet. The nearly 39 percent tax burden on telecom services remains, and consumers say until that’s addressed, the price “cuts” mean little.

A Value Shift, But Not a Full Price Drop

To be clear, data prices have not technically dropped—rather, the value of what users get for the same price has increased. For example, instead of paying GHS10 for 1.5 GB, you might now get 1.7 GB for that same amount.

Minister Sam George and the NCA have described this as a value-based price adjustment, not a cut. But for ordinary citizens battling with rising living costs, it doesn’t feel like real relief.

The Bigger Picture

Sam George’s initiative is a step in the right direction. It shows political will, technical effort, and telco cooperation. But if government truly wants to win over the public:

• Further data price drops are needed—not just value increases.
• The government must review telecom taxes, which make up almost 40 percent of the total cost users pay.
• The quality of service must improve, especially in underserved areas.