MTN Ghana service interruption has been announced ahead of major changes to Ghana’s national tax policy, as the telecommunications company prepares its systems for the implementation of revised VAT tariffs. The planned downtime is scheduled for the early hours of January 2, 2026, and will temporarily affect airtime and data bundle purchases nationwide.
Why MTN Ghana Is Conducting Scheduled Maintenance
In a public notice to customers, MTN Ghana stated that the scheduled maintenance is necessary to prepare its billing and sales platforms for new VAT reform tariffs following policy changes announced by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
The maintenance is directly linked to the broader tax overhaul, which includes:
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Reduction in VAT rate
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Scrapping of the VAT flat rate scheme
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Abolition of the COVID-19 levy effective January 1
These reforms are expected to impact pricing structures across multiple services in the country, including telecommunications.
Maintenance Schedule and Affected Services
According to MTN Ghana, the maintenance details are as follows:
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Date: January 2, 2026
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Time: 12:00am to 04:00am
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Duration: 4 hours
During this period:
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Airtime purchases will not be possible
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Data bundle purchases will be unavailable
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All recharge and data purchase channels will be temporarily suspended
The company did not specify whether services such as voice calls, mobile money transactions, or usage of existing data bundles would be affected.
Official Statement from MTN Ghana
MTN Ghana confirmed the disruption in its advisory, stating:
“There is a scheduled maintenance planned for January 2, 2026, from 12:00am to 04:00am in preparation for the new VAT reform tariffs.”
The company further cautioned customers:
“During this period, airtime and data bundle purchases will not be possible.”
MTN Ghana apologised for the inconvenience, adding:
“We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding.”
The notice concluded with the company’s signature tagline, “everywhere you go.”
What Customers Should Do Before January 2
To avoid inconvenience during the maintenance window, customers are advised to:
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Purchase airtime before midnight on January 2
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Buy sufficient data bundles in advance
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Complete any planned recharges before 12:00am
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Monitor official MTN Ghana communication channels for updates
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When will MTN Ghana services be interrupted?
The interruption is scheduled for January 2, 2026, from 12:00am to 04:00am.
What services will be affected?
Airtime and data bundle purchases will be unavailable during the maintenance period.
Is the maintenance related to VAT changes?
Yes, it is directly linked to preparations for the new VAT reform tariffs.
Will existing data bundles stop working?
MTN Ghana did not indicate that existing bundles or other services would be affected.
