Ghana’s Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovation has launched an investigation into widespread consumer complaints of “vanishing data” allegedly caused by telecom operators.
The probe comes amid rising public frustration over the rapid depletion of mobile internet bundles, despite a recent 15% tariff hike across all major telecom networks.
Speaking at the launch of the Ministry’s AI Bootcamp in Accra on Friday, sector minister Samuel Nartey George acknowledged that the government had received a flood of complaints from users questioning how their data disappears so quickly.
“We are taking the complaints seriously,” the minister said. “But let me be clear: until there is credible evidence of tariff tampering or regulatory breaches, we cannot take punitive action.”
Mr George stressed the need for a thorough, data-driven approach before sanctioning any company, adding that social media sentiment alone could not dictate regulatory action.
“People may get sentimental and say all sorts of things on X—I mean, it’s X,” he noted, referring to the formerly named Twitter platform.
The controversy has dominated online discourse for weeks, with hashtags like #VanishingData and #DataNotData trending nationwide. Many users allege that data volumes shrink abnormally fast, even when using standard apps or background settings are disabled.
Consumer rights groups have also waded into the matter, urging the National Communications Authority (NCA) to step in with a full audit of data billing and consumption metrics across telecom providers.
In response, the Ministry has promised transparency throughout the investigation and pledged to hold any operator found culpable to the fullest extent of the law.
“If we find any evidence of wrongdoing, the necessary sanctions will follow,” Hon. George assured.
In the meantime, the Ministry is encouraging consumers to document their experiences and formally report anomalies for analysis.
The issue has reignited broader concerns about digital access, pricing fairness, and regulatory oversight in Ghana’s fast-growing telecommunications sector.
