I Can’t Scrap The 39% Tariffs On Data With Just A Stroke Of My Pen – Sam George Responds To Critics

Sam Nartey George, Minister for Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovation, has responded to calls for the removal of the 39% tariff on data purchases.

Minister for Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovation, Sam Nartey George, has addressed growing public pressure for the removal of the 39% tariff on data purchases, clarifying that such decisions fall outside his direct authority.

Over the weekend, Sam George became a trending topic on social media platform X, as users called on him to take immediate action to reduce the high cost of data by scrapping the tariffs.

Responding to the calls, the minister posted on X: “I am impressed with the enthusiasm in your advocacy, but facts remain facts. You have rightly diagnosed the tariffs in the price build-up for data. Maybe it is important to educate you, since you may be unfamiliar with the laws of Ghana, that no minister—except the Minister for Finance through an instrument laid before Parliament—can remove any tax or tariff as it affects government revenue.” “So you may tag me a thousand times a post, but the fact is that until we get the Minister for Finance to approve the removal or reduction of sector-specific tariffs, it is all enthusiasm and not facts.”

He added that while tariff reductions would offer major relief, they are not the only tools available. He noted that discussions with the Finance and Energy Ministers were ongoing for medium-term solutions, and in the short term, the regulator would implement new policies to yield immediate impact. “Hope this helps and clarifies the issues for you,” he concluded.

In reaction to his post, a netizen highlighted what they saw as inconsistency in Sam George’s position, saying “You’ve contradicted yourself, Hon. Sam George. In opposition, you criticized the former Minister for authorizing a regulatory tariff through the NCA—not a statutory tax passed by Parliament. You called it deceptive and promised action. But now in office, you say it requires Finance Minister and Parliament to reverse?”

Speaking at the World Telecommunications and Information Society Day event on May 19, Sam George addressed the online backlash: “I’ve been trending over the weekend on Twitter because people think data costs must be cheaper by just the stroke of my pen.”

He went on to explain that a committee was formed with a 14-day mandate to develop a roadmap to reduce data prices. “In 13 days, they delivered the roadmap. We’re dealing with eight years of market distortion. I wish I could fix it arbitrarily, but it takes a carefully calculated effort,” he said. “My promise was that by the end of this year, we will see prices drop, and my promise remains. Just trust the process,” Sam George assured.

I am impressed with the enthusiasm in your advocacy but facts remain facts. You have rightly diagnosed the tariffs in the price build up for data. Maybe it is important to educate you since you may be unfamiliar with the laws of Ghana, that no Minister, except the Minister for… https://t.co/tlugzEFQtd

— Sam ‘Dzata’ George 🦁🇬🇭 (@samgeorgegh) May 18, 2025

Source: Nkonkonsa.com