Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, Samuel Nartey George, is standing firm on his decision to suspend the licence of MultiChoice Ghana, operators of DSTv, by August 7 if subscription prices remain high—despite intervention by the Minority in Parliament.
The dispute stems from growing public discontent over rising DSTv subscription fees, which Mr. George says are unjustified.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, August 4, he reiterated his commitment to enforcing regulatory action, while acknowledging the Minority’s call for engagement.
“I appreciate the call by the NPP Minority on the Communications Select Committee of Parliament for engagement,” Mr. George said. “I can assure the Committee as a whole that the Ministry would provide a full update when we complete our regulatory actions on 7th August.”
He revealed that he had met the Ghanaian management of DSTv on June 27 and later held talks with their headquarters management on July 4—a meeting during which he demanded a 30% price reduction and urged the company to address piracy concerns on its platform.
DSTv responded with a 9-page letter dated July 21, but Mr. George described the company’s posture as that of a “recalcitrant monopoly” insensitive to customer complaints.
“The policy directive is a last resort action to protect the Ghanaian public from what appears to be a recalcitrant monopoly which has become tone deaf to the cries of their customers,” he added.
“On the 7th of August, the Regulator would initiate action in line with the terms of the license authorisation and the Electronic Communications Act, Act 775. We would act within the law and in the interest of the Ghanaian people.”
He concluded by affirming his commitment to fairness and accountability, stating: “The RESET agenda demands this action for sanity to prevail. I remain accountable to the people of Ghana in my service as Minister.”
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
