Fuseini Issah, former Member of Parliament for Okaikwei North, has told Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, to desist from fighting DStv Ghana publicly.
The former member of parliament noted that Sam George publicly fighting DStv will deter the investors from entering the market the Ghanaian market.
According to Fuseini Issah, a calm dialogue will be better than public confrontation.
Speaking on Channel One TV on Monday, August 4, Fuseini Issah stated, “If you are fighting DStv publicly, I don’t see how another company will find this environment attractive enough to bring their investment.
You don’t know how this is going to affect the business environment in Ghana and our foreign investment,” he said.
He added, “I think we should find cool heads, go back to the table, and resolve this matter.”
Fuseini Issah’s comment comes on the heels of Sam Nartey George, the Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, announcing MultiChoice broadcast license will be suspended by the National Communications Authority (NCA) if they fail to reduce subscription prices by August 7, 2025.
The minister comparing prices of DSTV subscription packages between Ghana and other African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and others noted that Ghana’s Premium bouquet sells for the equivalent of US$83 while as same bouquet in Nigeria sells for US$29.
According to Sam George, DSTV price disparity cannot be explained by anyone.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Friday, August 1, Sam George stated, “In my capacity as Minister, my fidelity is to the Ghanaian people. I have written to the NCA, instructing them to suspend DSTV’s broadcasting licence effective August 7 if they do not comply”.
However, DStv Ghana fired back, stating it was not tenable to reduce prices in the manner proposed by the Minister.
DSTV Ghana statement issued on Sunday, August 3 and signed by Alex Okyere, Managing Director of DSTV Ghana, read, “MultiChoice notes with concern the recent statements made by the Honourable Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Mr Samuel Nartey George, regarding DStv pricing in Ghana.
It is regrettable that the Honourable Minister has taken this stance, notwithstanding our ongoing endeavours to engage with the Honourable Minister candidly and in good faith on this important matter. In an effort to arrive at a resolution, we have made a proposal to the Honourable Minister and the National Communications Authority (“the NCA”) on an alternative further engagement avenue”.
MultiChoice DSTV further added that after operating in Ghana for over 30 years, they are mindful of the dire implications that an impasse may have.
“Having operated in Ghana for 30 plus years, we value our employees, contract staff, dealers, installers, agents, and retailers in Ghana. We are mindful of the dire implications that an impasse may have on you and your livelihoods, and we assure you that we are committed to working together with the Honourable Minister and the NCA to resolve this matter”.
The statement added, “While we appreciate the recent appreciation of the Cedi (which we have never referred to as a “fluke”, it is not tenable to reduce the DStv subscription fees in the manner proposed by the Minister”.
Meanwhile, the Minority in Parliament has also waded into the brouhaha surrounding MultiChoice DSTV subscription packages in Ghana.
According to the Minority in Parliament, there must be fair DSTV subscription pricing.
In a statement signed by Member of Parliament for Kpandai, Matthew Nyindam, on Sunday, August 3, read, “The Minority in Parliament has taken note of the growing public concern over the high cost of DStv subscription packages in Ghana compared to other countries in the sub-region. We believe the concerns Ghanaians raised are valid and deserve urgent attention.
We fully support the advocacy initiated by patriotic citizens, which has now attracted the attention of the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation. We agree that subscription fees must be set fairly and that pricing must reflect the realities of Ghana’s economy”.
The minority noted Sam George’s commitment to protecting the Ghanaian consumer, but added that the solutions must be grounded in law, fairness, and constructive engagement.