General News
Ghanaians May Soon Pay Less for Mobile Data as Government Reviews Telecom Tax Burden

Mobile data costs in Ghana could soon decrease as the government moves to address the heavy tax load currently impacting telecommunications services. This development follows ongoing discussions between the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation and the Ministry of Finance aimed at restructuring the nearly 39% tax consumers pay on data services.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, Communications and Digitalisation Minister Samuel Nartey George explained that several levies—including VAT, the National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL), the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) levy, the COVID-19 levy, and the Communications Service Tax (CST)—are major contributors to high mobile data costs.
“These taxes account for close to 39 percent of what the average consumer pays for data,” Mr. George said. “We’re in talks with the Finance Ministry to evaluate these components. Once concluded, we expect this to result in lower charges for consumers.”
He noted that once the tax burden is eased, telecom operators will be required to pass the savings on to users.
In a related move, Mr. George revealed that all three major telecom operators—MTN Ghana, AirtelTigo, and Telecel—will roll out enhanced data packages starting July 1, 2025.
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AirtelTigo Ghana will increase its GH¢400 data bundle from 190GB to 236GB.
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Telecel will boost its GH¢400 package from 90GB to 250GB.
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MTN Ghana, which holds a dominant 76% market share, will raise its data bundle by 15%. Its GH¢399 bundle (formerly priced at GH¢350) will now offer 214GB, up from 92.88GB.
“These changes come at a cost to the providers,” Mr. George acknowledged. “We appreciate their commitment to easing the burden on Ghanaians.”
The Minister also announced that the long-awaited spectrum allocation process is expected to be finalized by the first week of July. This is expected to help improve service quality across networks.
In preparation, the three telecom giants have pledged a combined $150 million investment in infrastructure, including spectrum acquisition and network upgrades, by the end of 2025. Telecel, in particular, has already received regulatory clearance to use the NGIC 2,100MHz spectrum under a newly approved Connecting Entity Licence—an upgrade expected to improve short-term service delivery.
Additionally, the government is collaborating with the Ministry of Energy and the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) to introduce a special electricity tariff for telecom providers—similar to that used in the mining industry—to reduce operational costs.
Addressing previous policy decisions, Mr. George criticized actions taken under the former administration, particularly the upfront collection of the Communications Service Tax and delays in spectrum release, which he said worsened consumer costs.
“In a liberalized economy, I cannot dictate prices—just as the Minister for Trade cannot order GUTA members to lower theirs,” he noted. “But we are actively engaging stakeholders to find practical solutions.”
The National Communications Authority is set to conduct a nationwide quality-of-service assessment between October and December 2025. Operators that fail to meet standards will be penalized.
“After eight years of poor management, we cannot fix everything in four months,” Mr. George concluded, “but the steps we’re taking will bring real improvement to both pricing and service quality for Ghanaians.”
Crime and Investigation
OSP Charges Paul Adom-Otchere Over GACL Contract; Fails to Meet Bail Conditions

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has formally charged Paul Adom-Otchere, former Board Chairman of the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), alongside two other individuals, in connection with a contentious revenue assurance contract.
Despite being granted bail, Mr. Adom-Otchere remains in custody after failing to meet the bail requirement of providing two landed properties registered in his name. He reportedly informed investigators that he does not own any such properties in Ghana, making compliance with the condition unattainable.
Also charged are Otchere Kwame Baffour Awuah, Group Executive for Commercial Services at GACL, and Albert Adjetey Adjei-Laryea, Chief Executive Officer of Devnest Systems.
The charges stem from an ongoing investigation into a revenue assurance contract awarded to a private firm allegedly linked to the owner of Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd (SML). The OSP is examining suspected procurement violations, including the alleged sole-sourcing of a company that did not receive board approval from GACL.
Mr. Adom-Otchere was summoned for questioning on Thursday, July 31, following a formal notice issued on July 25, 2025.
In an interview with Citi Newsroom prior to his appearance before the OSP, Adom-Otchere described the investigation as politically driven. “I describe this as a witch-hunt,” he stated, asserting that he played no part in executing the contract. “The contract in question was signed by the Managing Director of Ghana Airports Company, and I was not even aware it had been executed.”
He further questioned why the investigation is focused on him instead of the GACL management officials who handled the contract process.
The OSP is expected to release additional information on the case and outline the next steps in the legal process in the coming days.
Crime and Investigation
OSP’s Bail Conditions for Adom-Otchere ‘Unjust and Excessive’ – Lawyer

Nicholas Lenin Anane Agyei, legal representative for Paul Adom-Otchere, has condemned the bail terms set by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), describing them as harsh and discriminatory.
This follows the OSP’s directive that Mr. Adom-Otchere, former Board Chairman of the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), must present two landed properties registered in his name before securing bail. Despite being officially granted bail, he remains in custody due to his inability to meet this condition.
Speaking on Channel One Newsroom on Thursday, July 31, Mr. Agyei expressed concern that the OSP’s demands appear intended to deliberately prolong Mr. Adom-Otchere’s detention.
He argued that the requirement was not only excessive but also unfair to individuals without significant assets.
“Asking for two landed properties in the name of the accused is an unreasonable demand, especially when it’s known he doesn’t own any. It’s as though the system is designed to deny bail to those without wealth,” he said.
Mr. Agyei further revealed that during preliminary procedures, Mr. Adom-Otchere had clearly indicated that he does not possess any landed properties. Despite this disclosure, the OSP still made such a condition central to his bail.
“It’s concerning that the OSP would insist on such conditions even after learning about his lack of property ownership. This, in our view, amounts to a veiled attempt to keep him behind bars,” he added.
He assured the public that the legal team is actively pursuing all lawful channels to challenge the conditions and secure the release of his client.
Crime and Investigation
OSP Invites Former GACL Board Chair Paul Adom-Otchere Over Suspected Corruption in Audit Deal

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has summoned Paul Adom-Otchere, the former Board Chairman of Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), for questioning as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged corruption and financial irregularities.
The probe focuses on a revenue assurance audit contract between GACL and a private firm, with suspicions surrounding the financial management and accounting of airport revenues under the agreement.
In an official letter dated July 25, 2025, the OSP identified Mr. Adom-Otchere as a suspect in the matter, citing potential corruption and corruption-related offenses. He has been asked to appear at the OSP’s South Ridge office on Thursday, July 31, 2025.
Confirming receipt of the summons in an interview with Myjoyonline.com, Mr. Adom-Otchere, who recently completed his term as board chair, disclosed that his legal team has requested a new date—Monday, August 4—due to court engagements in Kumasi.
While pledging his full cooperation, he expressed surprise at being singled out, arguing that the decision-making around the contract was primarily handled by GACL management and its managing director, both of whom remain in office and available to assist with the inquiry.
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