Affordable Data Can’t Be Fixed Overnight: Sam George Responds to Tariff Criticism

As Ghana continues to grapple with the high cost of mobile data, a recent exchange between Member of Parliament Sam 'Dzata' George and a vocal tech advocate has reignited public discourse about digital accessibility and government accountability.

 In what began as an optimistic post by the MP, expressing commitment to national development and service to the people, many online users instead redirected the conversation to the urgent issue of exorbitant data tariffs. The primary concern: is the over 39% in cumulative taxes and fees on every data purchase—a burden many believe is within Parliament's power to eliminate.
The response from the tech community was clear: symbolic language and political promises are not enough. Ghanaians are demanding immediate, concrete action to reduce data costs that are increasingly becoming unsustainable in a digitally dependent society.

However, Sam George clarified that his hands are tied when it comes to the direct removal of such tariffs. According to him, only the Minister for Finance—through a formal instrument laid before Parliament—has the authority to remove or reduce taxes that affect government revenue. This, he explained, is a constitutional limitation that cannot be bypassed by individual MPs or sector-specific ministers.

While acknowledging that tariff reductions would provide the biggest relief to consumers, the MP stressed that solutions must follow due process. He indicated that medium-term discussions are ongoing with the Finance and Energy Ministries and that short-term regulatory interventions are being considered to help mitigate the impact on consumers.

The exchange has shed light on the disconnect between public expectations and the institutional bottlenecks within government structures. For many citizens, the debate underscores a frustrating reality: despite knowing what the problem is, those in power often lack the unilateral authority—or the urgency—to act swiftly.

As data remains a lifeline for communication, education, and commerce, the question persists: how long must Ghanaians wait for meaningful relief?