Samuel Nartey George, the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation has boldly stated he cannot set prices for data.
According to Sam George, he can only use policies will be used to ensure affordable data for Ghanaians.
Speaking in an interview on New Day, Sam George stated, “I can’t set prices for data, I will use policies to ensure affordable data”.
It will be recalled some months ago Sam Nartey George responded to critics against his decision to set up a committee to reduce the cost of data.
According to Sam George, he would not allow his critics to drag him, so if the year ends and he deliver, they must give him his flowers.
Many Ghanaians are of the view Sam George does not need a committee before he can reduce data costs.
One of the speakers on the Street Is Watching On YouTube podcast stated, “He is going to set up a committee for this project, which is very laudable if 80% of your total for running a cell site is based on power and the cost of power is reduced drastically for the telcos, meaning they have no other option than to reduce it”.
“What keeps us connected is the internet and data, so we can never leave without it, the public is a backlash to it, I understand, because we have seen one group of people run the country, and they have set up a committee, and we didn’t see anything”, he added.
He further stated, “He said by the end of the year, there should be some form of activity when it comes to communication; we can only drag him when the year ends and we don’t see anything”.
Sam George, reacting to a video by the Street Is Watching On YouTube, wrote on X, “I love this analysis. There is a chain reaction that leads to the cost build-up. We would unravel it and deliver. I would not allow you to drag me. Walahi! 😜. If I deliver too, you got given me my flowers. Deal? 🦁🇬🇭”
Meanwhile, TikTok influencer, Kobe Boujee has bemoaned the high cost of internet data from the service provider, MTN in Ghana than it is in Nigeria.
He believes service providers must ensure the cost of their services are same across board in all areas they operate but the case is different with MTN.
In a recorded TikTok session, he stated, “I am trying to understand the difference between the MTN in Ghana and the MTN in Nigeria, like what’s the difference. If not for today I never knew the MTN data bundle in Ghana is five times the price of even more than that of Nigeria,” he stated.
His rant comes after he saw on social media Nigerians were complaining about the cost of MTN internet data in their country.
“I just woke up and saw news of Nigerians complaining about their data bundle and I am like but this dier ei be normal. The bundles their enjoying is not even just4u bundles, whils we have been paying more. We pay about Ghc350cedis for 92 gig of data when the same amount converted to naira is like 35,000 naira and you can use it to buy a new shoe,” he added.
