The Minister of Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, has ordered the National Communications Authority (NCA) to suspend DSTV’s broadcasting rights. This will happen if they do not lower subscription prices by August 7, 2025.
Some sources claim that an agreement was reached between DSTV and the Minister to lower prices. This is because the Cedi has gained strength against the Dollar.
The following are the words of the Minister concerning this development:
And lets just be clear. The same Multichoice in June last year did a $30 price reduction in Liberia. Liberia’s prices were similar to Ghana. They slashed the premium price by $30, slashed all the lower bundles by $17.
What is good for Liberians and Nigerians is good for Ghanaians.
I am not threatening Multichoice and I am not hounding them out. We are simply protecting the Ghanaian people.
I have made a request for 30%. What I consider a proactive step will not be you writing to me and tell me that the prudent management of the economy by the Mahama administration that has led to upgrades in our credit rating by S&P, Fitch. You tell me that, that is a fluke.
And so in my letter to Multichoice, I asked them since when they began rating economies? because for them to tell me that the over 30% appreciation of the Ghanaian cedi is unsustainable and cannot be projected against, I want to know what expertise they have in determining the future of the Ghanaian economy.
We are simply acting as regulators. We will not give a license to a foreign entity to come and fleece Ghanaians. You want to work here in Ghana, you will work in the interest of the Ghanaian people.
I gave them 21 days, they responded, I’ve given them another 7 days. By 7th of August, the NCA will suspend their broadcasting license if they don’t come back to us with a reduction in price for the Ghanaian people. And I know that they are banking their hopes that the Ghanaian people will complain about the Premier League and all, there are several ways of killing a cat.
However, DSTV later reneged, with the excuse that they don’t believe the gains made by the cedi will last.
This is what necessitated the decision by the Minister to suspend the operations of the Television Subscription company.
Do you think this is going to play out well? Leave a comment
