Ghanaian dancehall artist Shatta Wale has sparked controversy with his criticism of the Minister for Communications and Digital Technology, Sam Nartey George, regarding the Special Independence Day data bundle initiative.
On March 7, 2025, Shatta Wale took to his official Facebook page to express his disapproval of the initiative, which saw telecommunication networks offering discounted data bundles to celebrate Ghana’s 68th Independence Day. In his post, Shatta Wale stated that the data bundle reduction was not what Ghanaians truly needed. Instead, he called for more tangible financial support from the government, such as direct cash assistance.
“This is not what Ghanaians need massa…You think this is what can make you stay in power? Abi… You didn’t even say 1000ghc for every Ghanaian and small time you will be planning to buy properties abroad… Next joke please! Let us be serious in this country… Our people need money, money, money oooo tonnn!!!!” the musician wrote.
The announcement of the special Independence Day data bundles had been made by Sam George on March 6, 2025. The reduced prices were part of efforts to build a digitalized Ghana and were praised by the government as a positive step for digital inclusion. The initiative was launched with the cooperation of Ghana’s telecommunication companies, providing data bundles at GH₵10 for a limited time.
Shatta Wale’s comments have sparked a range of reactions on social media, with some supporting his viewpoint while others defend the government’s approach. Critics of the dancehall artist have accused him of timing his criticism poorly, while some have backed Sam George’s initiative, seeing it as a step in the right direction for the country’s digital development.
