Roadmap To Reducing Internet Data Costs Commendable
According to a graphiconline report, the government will soon establish a multi-stakeholder team to develop a roadmap for reducing internet data costs in Ghana, Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, Sam George, has announced.In a post on X on February 9, 2025 he stated that the team, which will be “outdoored in the coming days,” will include representatives from key government institutions, industry players and consumer groups.
According to him, the goal is to reach “common grounds that are representative of the needs of citizens, industry and government.”The team will include representatives from the Ministries of Communications, Digital Technology & Innovation, Energy and Finance, along with regulatory bodies such as the National Communications Authority (NCA) and the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC).
Other stakeholders, including the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) and the Association of Content Creators, will also be involved.
The announcement follows the minister’s recent remarks during his vetting before Parliament’s Appointments Committee. While responding to questions, he assured Ghanaians that making internet services more affordable would be a priority.He explained that engagements would be held with Telecom operators to review pricing structures and address inefficiencies contributing to high costs. He also noted that the government would explore policy interventions, including possible tax adjustments, to ease the financial burden on service providers and enable them to reduce charges for consumers.
Access to affordable and reliable internet is no longer a luxury but a necessity. The government’s announcement of a multi-stakeholder team to develop a roadmap for reducing internet data costs in Ghana is, therefore, a commendable and much-needed intervention. If executed effectively, this initiative could bridge the digital divide, enhance digital inclusion and propel the country’s technological advancement.
For years, we have grappled with high data costs, which have hindered digital access and limited opportunities, particularly for students and small businesses. The affordability of internet services remains a key barrier to economic growth, innovatio, and global competitiveness. It is reassuring to see the government acknowledge this challenge and take concrete steps toward addressing it.
A key factor contributing to high internet costs is the high operational expenses incurred by telecom companies. These include infrastructure costs, licensing fees and multiple taxation layers. The minister’s indication that the government will explore policy interventions, including possible tax adjustments, is a positive step that could ease the financial burden on service providers and allow for lower consumer pricing.
Lowering internet data costs would have far-reaching benefits for our country’s economy. Affordable internet can boost e-commerce, fintech and the gig economy, providing thousands of young entrepreneurs and freelancers with opportunities to earn a livelihood. The education sector, particularly in the wake of increased digital learning would also benefit immensely, ensuring that students from all backgrounds have equal access to knowledge and online resources.
