Some Ghanaians on Twitter are currently on a crusade against telecommunication networks in the country for what they describe as exploitation by the network companies in terms of data and call charges.
Armed with the hashtag #SaveOurData the customers who sound very bitter are expressing their frustrations through a barrage of tweets on the popular social media platform.
The campaign is being spearheaded by popular sports presenter, Saddick Adams also known as Sports Obama, who has made several tweets and retweets on the subject.
As of the time this report was being filed by GhanaWeb.com, the hashtag #SaveOurData was sitting at number one on Twitter trends, with close to ten thousand (10,000) tweets garnered.
This latest development is the ripple effect of the introduction of a 9% Communication Services Tax(CST) by the government of Ghana during the mid-year budget review of 2019. To the angry customers the CST effect is only an add up to the exploitation that was already being carried out by the Telcos, amidst bad services.
To the parties in the triangle, thus: government, the Telcos and the customers, the introduction of the CST has brought various forms of pressure on everyone.
In October this year, following public backlash the Ministry of Communication directed Telcos to stop the upfront deduction of the 9% levy from customers top-ups. According to the sector the minister, Ursula Owusu Akuful, the method used by the Telcos was creating a public disaffection against the government. She also directed the Telcos rollover customer’s unused data and not put expiration limits on them.
Following the directive by the ministry, the Telcos announced they were going to cease the upfront deduction and incorporate the charges in their rates.
The restructuring of rates by the Telcos to incorporate the CST clearly seems to have not favoured the Ghanaian customers, as they have now taken to Twitter to express their frustrations against the Telcos using the hashtag #SaveOurData.
Read some of the Tweets below
Let campaign for this telcos to give us better services. In my village at Breman Adumanu getting a network to make even a call is problem yet they’re here telling us good strong and good their services are.#SaveOurData pic.twitter.com/y2L5SAr2La
— Nathaniel Obeng ???? (@Obengnat) December 2, 2019
It is only in ???????? Data is more expensive than rent #SaveOurData It took me two days to download one single movie with Vodafone 4g????. Glo de3 is not not not ,Mtnfor thief thiefer thiefest..
— kwadwo favor (@GordonOla) December 2, 2019
If you buy data in Ghana and you have felt the exploitation, disrespect, horrible services and exorbitant charges, never tweet without adding #SaveOurData
— Saddick Adams (@SaddickAdams) December 2, 2019
We are going to walk soon. Keep them on their toes it your government and ministry won't.
You bloggers and musicians, u di3, you keep quiet and act like, its because we broke, and don't talk, very soon we won't have bundle to stream your content.. Nonsense #SaveOurData
— kwabena Ess????????????? (@kwabena_ess) December 2, 2019
And do not be hoodwinked into believing that the best way to address the unwarranted internet charges in Ghana is to port to another network.
— Saddick Adams (@SaddickAdams) December 2, 2019
Biggest scam.
We need to fight for a strict regulation, reduction in taxes and demand general quality of service #SaveOurData
I am certain the people in leadership positions in the TELCO CARTEL meet regularly to discuss pricing . They have formed a cartel for the sole purpose of cheating Ghanaians because they know we are powerless. We all need to unite and take them on one and for all.#SaveOurData
— YKGH (@IWKYKGH) December 2, 2019
Despite the humongous advancements in wireless technology these past few years Internet costs have rather increased in Ghana. The Telecommunications ecosystem in Ghana is in need of a violent shake up.#SaveOurData
— 5LICK (@iamslick) December 2, 2019
Boss man i think the DEMO will solve our problem for us because government and the ministry won't mind us cos of what they get from the telcos @SaddickAdams.#SaveOurData
— frederick acquah (@FrederickAcquah) December 2, 2019
I wouldnt blame the telcos but the National Communication Authority and Ministry of Communication... #SaveOurData
— Fid3lis (@_Fid3lis) December 2, 2019
#SaveOurData
— Lawyer Ntikateche Bombay Isaiah (@ntimination) December 2, 2019
The average Ghanaian spends too much.. way too much on data as compared to our brothers and sisters in other countries. The NCA and Telcos should do something about this. Money no dey saa o wey the small we get too we dey spend all on common data. That's ridiculous!
BREAKING NEWS in South Africa today.
— Saddick Adams (@SaddickAdams) December 2, 2019
Meanwhile in Ghana, there are Einsteins claiming it is not possible to reduce data prices. We are hitting the streets soon. Ghana let us rise. We deserve better living conditions too #SaveOurData https://t.co/ulCvE6E9vr
