Sam George, a leading member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has criticized the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for misusing the SMP Policy Ghana. He accused the NPP of punishing MTN instead of using the policy to fix market distortions. He assured that an NDC-led government would apply the SMP Policy Ghana fairly to boost competition and protect consumers.

“The previous administration used the SMP tool as a punitive measure. The SMP tool is meant to be a corrective measure. In fact, since the Minister declared MTN an SMP, their market share has grown, instead of it fixing the distortion in the market,” Sam George stated.

He stressed that the NDC would focus on fairness. Their approach would protect investors while creating equal opportunities for all telecom companies.

“We will use the SMP Policy Ghana as a corrective tool, not to punish an investor who has made solid investments in our country. Instead, we will ensure a fair playing field where customers have multiple options,” he explained.

MTN Ghana has grown despite the SMP designation in 2020. The company’s third-quarter 2024 report shows 10.8% growth in mobile subscribers, reaching 28.6 million. Active data users increased by 17.3% to 17 million, while Mobile Money (MoMo) users rose by 18.1%, also hitting 17 million.

Sam George reaffirmed his commitment to fair regulations. He promised an NDC government would ensure competition and better consumer choices.

The debate over SMP Policy Ghana remains critical. Political parties continue to propose different strategies for regulation, competition, and investment. The NDC aims to balance oversight with policies that drive growth and innovation.

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