Audio By Carbonatix
The MP for Mpraeso, Davis Ansah Opoku, is advocating for a transformative shift in the telecommunications sector for affordable internet.
He is proposing the introduction of fixed monthly data packages offering unlimited access to digital services for all Ghanaians.
Davis Ansah Opoku, a member of the Information and Communications Committee, made this call during an interview on Channel One News on Friday, July 4, describing the proposal as essential for achieving true digital inclusion and long-term price stability.
READ ALSO: 5G or lose license: Government issues final ultimatum to NGIC as Q4 2025 looms
Mr Opoku's comments come hot on the heels of a significant intervention by the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George (MP), who on Thursday, July 4, pressed MultiChoice Ghana to reduce its DStv subscription fees by 30%.
Prior to that, the minister was able to engage Telcos to revise internet plans to increase data for the same amount purchased.
This ministerial directive was directly linked to the Ghanaian Cedi's remarkable 30% appreciation against major international currencies over the past five months, a period during which consumer frustration mounted over stagnating service prices.
While commending Minister Nartey George's proactive stance, MP Davis Ansah Opoku stressed that a more sustainable solution is needed to insulate Ghanaian consumers from future economic volatilities.
“I think it is very welcoming. When data prices are reduced, it is something that Ghanaian people will be excited about. As the minister said, the DStv directive is as a result of the appreciation of the Ghana cedi, and this is something that we expected the telcos to have done, and so for him to have prompted them is something that deserves commendation." Mr Opoku stated, acknowledging the positive impact of the Cedi's recent strength.
However, he immediately pivoted to a forward-looking vision: "However, we are looking forward to some pragmatic steps, so that even if the dollar depreciates, we will still have reduced prices. I am looking forward to a fixed rate where Ghanaians enjoy unlimited services every month. And so it is a good step and we commend him for that.”
This bold proposal aims to address the perennial challenge of fluctuating data costs, which often mirror the Cedi's performance against foreign currencies. For Ghana, a nation with over 40 million mobile subscriptions and a burgeoning digital economy, reliable and affordable internet access is no longer a luxury but a fundamental necessity for education, business, and social connectivity. The average Ghanaian currently spends a significant portion of their income on data, with current packages often having volume caps that limit extensive digital engagement.
The call for unlimited fixed-rate data packages echoes similar initiatives in other digitally advanced nations and could significantly boost Ghana's digital literacy and economic productivity.
Such a move would require extensive collaboration between the government, regulatory bodies like the National Communications Authority (NCA), and major telecommunication service providers, including MTN Ghana, Vodafone Ghana, and AirtelTigo, which collectively serve the vast majority of the Ghanaian mobile market. Implementing such a policy would not only enhance consumer welfare but also align with the broader goals of digital transformation and inclusion outlined in the government's development agenda.
Latest Stories
-
Bawku conflict shows how false information can fuel violence, British envoy warns
24 minutes -
ARDO initiates collaboration between Ghana and Togo to prevent cross-border wildfires
30 minutes -
Visit South Africa: How Clarens is setting the standard for sustainable tourism
33 minutes -
GRMA marks International Day of the Midwife in Tamale
38 minutes -
Tourism Ministry distances itself from Karnival Kingdom Festival
43 minutes -
Godfred Dame accuses Deputy AG of lying over access to Abdul-Wahab Hanan
45 minutes -
Valverde cut head when he ‘accidentally hit table’ in Tchouameni row
54 minutes -
ORAL will soon take effect, and NPP will feel the heat – Abass Nurudeen
1 hour -
Ghana climbs Press Freedom rankings, but new threats are closing in – British High Commissioner
1 hour -
AMA gives Lapaz traders a seven-day deadline to quit roadsides
1 hour -
Fidelity Bank distances itself from ‘Fidelity Capital Investment Group’
1 hour -
Pregnant woman, her daughter and two others killed in Savannah Region road crash
1 hour -
Okoe Boye urges caution over public conclusions in Charles Amissah probe
2 hours -
Fire Service courts public support to address attacks on personnel
2 hours -
Africans as foreigners in Africa: A contradiction of Pan-Africanism and African unity
2 hours