Just three weeks after the government announced what was supposed to be a consumer-friendly overhaul of mobile data pricing in Ghana, a wave of public
Just three weeks after the government announced what was supposed to be a consumer-friendly overhaul of mobile data pricing in Ghana, a wave of public frustration has erupted nationwide.
Users across the country are complaining that data bundles now vanish faster than ever before, despite a reported increase in data volume and pricing reforms introduced by the Ministry of Communication and Digital Innovation.
The Promise vs. Reality
On July 1, 2025, a new pricing regime for mobile data took effect following months of engagement between government, telecom operators, and digital rights groups.
Communication Minister Sam Nartey George, who led the talks, announced tiered reforms for the major telecom companies, promising more data value per cedi.
According to him:
MTN Ghana was instructed to increase bundle volumes by 15%.
AirtelTigo and AT Ghana were each required to raise data volume by 10%.
The ₵399 bundle — a popular package that had been quietly devalued earlier — was restored to its former capacity of 214GB.
“These measures are a direct response to the concerns of consumers and digital advocates,” Sam George declared at a press briefing in Accra.
“We are moving toward fairness, transparency, and improved value.”
But those on the receiving end — the consumers — say they feel cheated.
Public Discontent Grows
Barely two weeks after the new rates kicked in, the complaints began flooding in.
“I used to buy ₵5 of data and it would last almost a day,” said Yaa Serwaa, a university student in Cape Coast. “Now it disappears in just three hours, and I’m not even watching videos.”
Similar experiences are being shared by remote workers, digital entrepreneurs, content creators, and even schoolchildren using e-learning platforms. Many claim the reforms have not translated into real usage value.
“It’s a deception,” said a frustrated small business owner in Kumasi. “They’ve changed the packaging, but the content is worse.”
Data Metering Under Scrutiny
One of the core issues now under the spotlight is data metering — the process by which telecom companies measure and deduct data usage.
For many Ghanaians, the system remains opaque, and calls for independent scrutiny are growing louder.
Samuel Yeboah, a Ghanaian tech influencer popularly known as Tech in Twi, returned from the United States specifically to investigate the issue.
“I ran my own tests on different bundles from different networks,” he revealed. “And honestly, the results are worrying. The data burn rate is abnormally high, even when you factor in automatic app updates or streaming.”
Yeboah is now pushing for an independent audit into how telcos track data usage, suggesting that discrepancies may be more widespread than previously acknowledged.
The Social Media Uproar
On X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Facebook, users have taken the fight online, demanding clarity, accountability, and improved service delivery from the telecom sector.
“Data finishes in record time now,” one post read. “Like speed of light. But network is still slow. Make it make sense.”
Another user lamented, “I’ve turned off autoplay, background data, even notifications. Still, nothing works. Where is the data going?”
Many are calling on the National Communications Authority (NCA) to step in and enforce transparency measures in the interest of public trust.
Digital Inclusion at Risk
As mobile internet continues to serve as the backbone of communication, commerce, education, and civic participation in Ghana, concerns about digital inclusion are being raised.
If data access becomes too expensive or unreliable, entire segments of the population may be digitally excluded.
“There is no digital Ghana without affordable and accessible data,” said Kwesi Nyame, a digital rights researcher. “It’s not just about connectivity anymore — it’s about equity and opportunity.”
Consumers Seek Answers
In response to the ongoing backlash, some users are resorting to workarounds — using lower-resolution apps, disabling automatic updates, and even limiting their time online.
However, these tactics do little to restore confidence in the system.
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