The Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, has accused MultiChoice Ghana of failing to take Ghanaians seriously in the ongoing dispute over DStv subscription fees.
Reacting later Sunday to a statement from the pay-TV operator, Mr. George said the company’s own words “vindicate my earlier position that they simply do not take the Ghanaian people serious enough.”
He contrasted the company’s stance in Ghana with its actions in Nigeria, noting that when Nigerian authorities sued and the House of Representatives intervened to suspend price increases, MultiChoice complied.
“In April this year, at a time the Ghanaian cedi had appreciated by about 10%, inflation had dropped by over 5%, and fuel prices had fallen, DStv announced and implemented a 15% increase,” the Minister said.
Mr. George also disclosed details of what he called an “alternate proposal” from MultiChoice, which he rejected outright. According to him, the company suggested maintaining current bouquet prices but keeping the revenue in Ghana instead of remitting it to its headquarters.
“In all honesty, that offer lacks any logic in my estimation. The essence of my action is to see Ghanaians pay a fair price for the services offered. How does this proposal solve the real issue?” he asked.
The Minister said his push was part of a “RESET” in public service to protect Ghanaians from being “fleeced” by corporations. While expressing empathy for DStv’s local staff, he urged them to support calls for price reductions.
“I remain open to constructive engagements that are centred on price reduction. Anything else is tangential and of no consequence,” he stated.
Mr. George has given MultiChoice until Wednesday, August 7, to lower subscription prices or face suspension of its operating license in Ghana.
