Article by Kwabena Adu Koranteng
In the digital age, being connected should be a right, not a luxury. But in Ghana, for millions of citizens, simply making a call or browsing the internet has become a daily struggle—and an expensive one at that.
Across the country, frustrations are boiling over. Network interruptions are so frequent that important business calls drop mid-conversation. Students trying to learn online are stuck staring at frozen screens. Families separated by distance can’t even enjoy a full conversation without being cut off by poor signal or soaring data costs.
“We are suffering. Sometimes I load data at night, and by morning, it’s all gone without using it. Who do we turn to?” said Akua Mensah, a small business owner in Kumasi. Her frustration echoes across towns and cities nationwide.
The cost of data in Ghana ranks among the highest in Africa relative to income, according to various independent reports. While many Ghanaians hoped for relief when the National Democratic Congress (NDC) pledged to lower data costs and reduce communication tariffs, little has changed.
“They promised us cheaper data. They promised us better service. But all we have now are broken promises and higher bills,” lamented Kwesi Boateng, a university student in Cape Coast who now spends nearly half his monthly allowance just to stay connected to online lectures.
The situation is made worse by heavy taxes imposed on telecommunication services. Many feel these taxes are unjust, especially when the services themselves are unreliable.
“We are not asking for free internet. We just want to pay fair prices for quality services. Right now, we’re being punished for wanting to communicate,” said Adwoa Serwaa, a mother of three from Tamale.
In a country striving to digitize its economy and education system, the current state of telecommunications threatens progress. Businesses lose customers. Students fall behind. Families drift apart—all because staying connected has become a luxury many can no longer afford.
Ghanaians are pleading for more than just better signal—they’re pleading for dignity, fairness, and access to a basic necessity of modern life. It’s time for the government to act, not with more promises, but with meaningful reform. Enditem
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