Amid mounting accusations of data theft from its customers, MTN Ghana’s Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Blewett, has strongly denied the claims, attributing the issue to network advancements and evolving data consumption patterns.
In a report by *MyJoyOnline* on Wednesday, Blewett acknowledged that complaints about rapid data depletion are not unique to MTN Ghana, stating that similar concerns arise in every market where the telecom giant operates.
Over the past two years, frustration among MTN subscribers has intensified, with more than 80% of the company’s 80-million-strong user base voicing concerns about unexplained data usage. On Tuesday, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) were inundated with emails and messages from customers demanding an official investigation into the matter.
Addressing these concerns, Blewett refuted allegations of data theft, explaining that the rapid depletion is largely due to the transition from 4G to 5G and increased high-resolution video streaming.
“If I were stealing data, I wouldn’t report it—I’d lose my bonus,” he quipped. “A faster network means data is consumed more quickly. For example, YouTube automatically switches to higher resolutions when the connection is strong, like a Pac-Man gobbling up your data. That’s not something we control.”
Blewett reassured customers that MTN maintains its integrity, emphasizing that the company undergoes independent audits and would never compromise its standards.
As calls for regulatory intervention grow louder, customers remain eager for clearer explanations and potential solutions to what they perceive as excessive data consumption.
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