MTN Ghana does not steal customers’ credit or data, Chief Executive Officer Stephen Blewett has firmly stated, rejecting growing public concerns over rapid data depletion among subscribers.
His comments follow widespread complaints from customers who say their data bundles are consumed faster than expected, with some alleging unexplained losses.
The issue has sparked intense debate on social media, with calls for greater transparency from telecom operators.
Speaking at the 2026 MTN Ghana Media and Stakeholders Forum in Accra on Friday, April 17, under the theme “MTN Ghana @30: Connecting Ghana, Shaping the Digital Future,” Mr Blewett categorically denied the allegations.
“There’s zero incentive for MTN to steal data from you. Because it will just chase people away. It’s not something we do; it’s not part of our values,” he said.
He added that customer responsibility is also key, urging users to better understand how their devices consume data.
Background apps and streaming driving data usage
Mr Blewett explained that rising data consumption is largely driven by changing digital behaviour rather than any wrongdoing by the company.
He noted that many applications run continuously in the background, consuming data without users’ knowledge. Automatic updates and the growing popularity of high-definition video streaming also significantly increase usage.
“These are things people don’t always see. But they are consuming data in the background, and that creates the impression that data is disappearing,” he said.
He urged customers to actively manage their usage by monitoring applications, adjusting video quality settings, and controlling background data activity.
Push for digital literacy among users
The MTN CEO stressed that improving digital awareness is essential to resolving misconceptions about data consumption.
He said better understanding of smartphone behaviour would empower customers to manage their data more effectively in an increasingly digital environment.
MTN outlines ambition 2030 growth strategy
Beyond the data concerns, Mr Blewett used the forum to outline MTN Ghana’s long-term growth strategy under its Ambition 2030 agenda.
He said digital services are becoming a key revenue driver, growing from about 1.3% to 2% in recent years.
Mobile gaming emerges as key growth area
Mr Blewett identified mobile gaming as one of the fastest-growing opportunities in Ghana, driven by a youthful population and rising smartphone usage.
He clarified that MTN’s focus is on online and multiplayer gaming—not betting—describing it as “the next big curve” in digital services.
He added that MTN aims to support local developers creating culturally relevant digital content, noting that infrastructure investment will be key to sustaining the sector’s growth.
$1 billion network investment accelerated
The CEO reaffirmed MTN Ghana’s commitment to invest $1 billion in network infrastructure over the next three years, accelerating an earlier five-year plan.
He described the move as a strong vote of confidence in Ghana’s economic resilience despite global uncertainty.
The investment will target IT systems, cybersecurity, green energy expansion such as solar, and major upgrades to network capacity.
Data usage nearing 15GB per customer
Mr Blewett revealed that MTN customers are now consuming close to 15 gigabytes of data per user per month on average, driven largely by video streaming and social media.
He said this rapid growth in usage is a key factor shaping the company’s infrastructure planning.
500 new cell sites planned for 2026
To improve service quality and coverage, MTN Ghana plans to roll out about 500 new cell sites in 2026.
The expansion will focus on urban and peri-urban areas experiencing rapid population and data demand growth.
Quality, pricing, and infrastructure challenges
Mr Blewett acknowledged rising customer expectations and regulatory pressure on service quality.
He said MTN continues to prioritise network reliability, noting that customers are willing to pay for services when performance meets expectations.
He also highlighted challenges such as limited spectrum availability and frequent fibre cuts, which can disrupt services, adding that the company is investing in resilience measures.
Long-term vision for Ghana’s digital future
Mr Blewett concluded that MTN Ghana’s strategy is focused on long-term investment rather than short-term market pressures.
He said Ghana remains one of MTN’s most important markets, with strong growth potential driven by digital adoption and enterprise connectivity.
According to him, MTN’s performance reflects disciplined investment, strong leadership, and committed staff.
He reaffirmed the company’s ambition to remain a “force for good” by supporting government, businesses, and communities through technology.
As MTN Ghana marks 30 years of operations, he said the company intends to remain central to Ghana’s digital transformation through sustained investment and innovation.
