Despite the reduction in the Communication Service Tax on September 15, 2020, some concerned youth on twitter are leading a campaign against the high cost of internet data in Ghana.
The hashtag DataMustFall (#DataMustFall) is on top of the list of Tech and Social Media trends in Ghana as people share their experiences by tagging their network providers.
Many, especially those who work remotely and use online services in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, have raised concerns over the cost, the speed and the rate at which the data get used up.
Those on MTN Ghana, AirtelTigo and Vodafone networks say data worth GHC10 does not last for more than ten minutes when they log on to social media.
“Data across all the networks is expensive, in this season with everything and everyone going virtual, they are cashing in big. we students and Ghanaian folks are always pulling monies for data from nowhere because you can’t afford to go offline,” a lady with the username Abigail Arthur tweeted.
“My issue with Vodafone is their mobile internet data package. It alerts you when you have consumed 50%, 70%, and 90% of your data. But it never alerts you when you have consumed 100% of your data. Instead, it automatically starts eating into your phone credit. Why?” another twitter user said.
Below are some of the tweets
I think its about time we protest against data prices in this country… #DataMustFall
— Dr Ayigbe Borla Bird #EndSars ❼ (@Mr_Ceyram) October 14, 2020
Dear Telcos, @MTNGhana@VodafoneGhana @airteltigoghana @GhanaGlo
Ghanaians are not happy to reach your companies this morning. We are not happy because you are exploiting us. We are not happy because you are running our internet space down.#DataMustFall pic.twitter.com/BZ0sGkIas9— Ghanaians VOICE (@Ghanaiansvoice) October 15, 2020
The amount of money I spend on Data every year can construct all rough roads 🛣 in my neighborhood, Damn it This #DataMustFall agenda shouldn’t be a oneday trend 😂
— CORROSIVE RULES🎭 (@CorrosiveRules) October 15, 2020
Whoever is responsible, whether its the government or the telcos. We cant be spending more on data than we spend on food. It doesn’t make sense at all. #DataMustFall
— Dr Ayigbe Borla Bird #EndSars ❼ (@Mr_Ceyram) October 15, 2020
Data across all the networks is expensive, in this season with everything and everyone going virtual, they are cashing in big. we students and Ghanaian folks are always pulling monies for data from nowhere because you can't afford to go offline #DataMustFall
— Adwoa Arthur (@arthur_adwoa) October 15, 2020
This is @MTNGhana where you need 10gh to even get less than 1gb which will not even last 3 hours whilst minimum wage in Ghana is 11.82gh. Do the rest of the calculations and see why the average Ghanaian can't save. #DataMustFall pic.twitter.com/jghMN10bQs
— IMMORTAL (@IykeReborn) October 15, 2020
How our Data is consumed😩😭🇬🇭 #DataMustFall pic.twitter.com/tPb8Rm2E7i
— Kwekugh_ 🇬🇭 (@Kwekugh_) October 15, 2020
Hasn't been a depreciation on communication taxes? Please why do you still use the old rates? Your data is too much dear!!! @MTNGhana Please do something about this! 🙏#DataMustFall https://t.co/5w8EePM7Gu
— AgendaMills (@AgendaMills) October 15, 2020
My issue with Vodafone is their mobile internet data package. It alerts you when you have consumed 50%, 70%, and 90% of your data. But it never alerts you when you have consumed 100% of your data. Instead, it automatically starts eating into your phone credit. Why? #CitiCBS
— Looking For Jobs? || JobTube Ghana || (@espioj) October 15, 2020
.@airteltigoghana PLEASE I BEG. I just finished my national service. Unemployed. My small savings is almost finished 😭😭😭
#DataMustFall pic.twitter.com/v1D36cDBTA
— KING BK 👑 (@bk_windfred) October 15, 2020
Sometimes if u calc. de amount spent on data alone u fit carry buy plot of land for East Lagon self . Y33BL3 ohh , Y33BL3 papa!😔#CitiCBS #DataMustFall
— Mac_Seoin💉 (@Macseoin1) October 15, 2020
I think so far @gloghana been doing a good job,apart from the instability in their network,even if they give light out,data goes off. Y'all need to work on that and quit tripping #DataMustFall pic.twitter.com/3jnJVsIrJT
— loner_trapstar (@samsamsraga) October 15, 2020