Withdraw CST tax and non-expiring data now; it’s expensive – NDC demands

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has demanded the immediate withdrawal of the Communication Service Tax (CST) and the non-expiring data plans which was initiated by the Communication Ministry to address the issues of tax increment.

Telcos in the country began an upfront deduction on unused data after the Finance Ministry announced an increase in the communication service tax from 6% to 9%.

This increment and its subsequent upfront deduction sparked outrage amongst Ghanaians, which was addressed by the introduction of a non-expiring data amongst other things.

But the solutions didn’t seem to resonate well with the NDC and many Ghanaians, a situation which sparked an online campaign dubbed #SaveOurDataCampaign.

The NDC, acting in the same accord with displeased Ghanaians has asked government to, with as matter of urgency, withdraw the non-expiring data plans because it is expensive.

According to the NDC, the withdrawal must not only affect the non-expiring data but the 50 per cent increment in the Communication Service Tax.

Addressing the media at the 7th edition of the Moment of Truth series, Thursday, December 12, 2019, Member of Parliament of Ningo Prampram constituency, Sam George said, “the #SaveOurDataCamapign was a restless response to both the implementation and the full effect of the drastic increase in the cost of both voice and data tariffs. Ghanaians realized they are paying far too much for phone calls, WhatsApp, Instagram amongst others.”

“…Our government has imposed a no data expiry directive which is giving Telcos more money and making the Ghanaian worse off. Who do you blame – the gods, government or telcos…?” Sam George questioned.

He concluded...“we are calling on President Akufo-Addo to immediately withdraw the 50% increase in CST. The trade-off of non-expiry of data and tariff increases that has disadvantaged the Ghanaian even more.”