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Claim: A viral post by @tech_twi on X claimed that Sam George has increased data prices from GHC 330 to GHC 360 without announcing it.
Verdict: Misleading. Crucially, Sam George does not have the power to set broadband tariffs for private telecom companies. As Communications Minister, he can propose policies or direct the National Communications Authority (NCA) on regulatory matters, but the companies set retail prices (subject to regulatory levies).
Full Text
Ghana’s Communications Minister, Sam Nartey George, has publicly lamented the high cost of data and repeatedly promised to drive it down. In mid-2025, he told the media that he expects data prices to “drop by the end of this year.” He has established an inter-agency committee to develop a roadmap for affordable data, noting that structural issues have driven up prices over the years.
He explicitly emphasises that future plans should offer “more gigabytes for less.” For example, he explained, “if today you were getting, say, 100 GB for a certain price… value would mean that you could get more than 100 GB at the same price,” and that soon Ghanaians “will purchase more gigabytes at lower prices.”
Since taking office, he has stressed that data price relief requires careful policymaking. He repeatedly says reducing costs “takes more than the stroke of [his] pen” and must ensure network quality.
While still exploring the possibility of price reduction in data, a social media user, Tech in Twi, has accused the minister of increasing the prices of data.
The claim attributes a recent price change in Telecel Ghana’s broadband bundle to Communications Minister Sam George, suggesting he secretly approved or initiated the increase. However, the facts do not support this.
DUBAWA fact-checked this claim because it falsely attributes Telecel’s bundle price rise to Sam George.
Verification
Telecel Ghana’s One Family Medium fixed-broadband plan initially offered 210 GB for GHS 330 (30-day validity). At that time, the unit cost was about GHC 330/210 ≈ , or GHC 1.57 per GB. Telecel’s current package listing (as of mid-2025) shows 225 GB for GHS 360 (with 30-day validity) on the company’s website. This equates to about GHC 1.60 per GB, i.e., a slight increase in cost per gigabyte. In other words, despite the higher data volume (210→225 GB), the price rose by 9 cedi, so the price per GB went up (from ~1.57 to ~1.60 GHC/GB) rather than down.
- Original (Oct 2024): 210 GB @ GHS 330(≈GHS 1.57/GB).
- Current (2025): 225 GB @ GHS 360 (≈GHS 1.60/GB) – a modest rise in per-GB cost.
The data show that the cost per GB has increased slightly on the One Family Medium package.
Does Sam George control telecom prices?
No. Ghana’s Communications Minister does not set data prices for telecom companies. The telcos make pricing decisions, though they may be subject to oversight by the National Communications Authority (NCA).
Sam George can influence policy direction and initiate regulatory reforms, but he cannot unilaterally (listen from 3:38) increase or decrease prices.
There is no evidence to suggest that he approved or initiated the Telecel price hike.
What explains the price change?
The adjustment in Telecel’s package is likely a commercial decision, influenced by inflation, network expansion costs, or other market factors. Sam George was not mentioned in Telecel’s pricing documentation, and no regulation or ministerial directive mandated the change.
The government’s new update on data prices
Government Announcements (effective July 1): Minister Sam George unveiled new, larger data packages across all major networks on June 10. For instance, AirtelTigo’s GHC 400 bundle jumps from 195 GB to 236 GB.
He also revealed a government review of nearly 39 telecom taxes and levies aimed at further reducing consumer data costs. These moves reflect policy intent rather than pricing power; the state cannot directly set retail broadband tariffs.
Conclusion
The claim that “Sam George has increased your data prices from GHC 330 to GHC 360 without announcing it” is misleading. Telecel Ghana made the pricing decision independently, and Sam George has publicly committed to lowering data costs, not raising them. He has no direct authority to set or change broadband package prices.
