The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has issued a strong ultimatum to DSTV. He warned that the broadcaster’s license would be suspended by Wednesday, August 7, if it fails to reduce its subscription prices in Ghana to meet regulatory expectations.
During the Government Accountability Series on Friday, August 1, the Minister revealed that he had formally instructed the National Communications Authority (NCA) to initiate the suspension process if DSTV continues to ignore calls for a price revision. “I have directed the NCA to act swiftly. If DSTV has not complied by the 7th of August, their broadcasting license will be suspended,” he declared.
Mr. George explained that his action followed a recent letter from DSTV, in which the company justified its current pricing structure by citing macroeconomic conditions. “DSTV claims that the Ghanaian cedi has depreciated by over 200% in the last eight years, and therefore, they cannot reduce their prices,” the Minister stated. However, Mr. George dismissed this explanation as insufficient, insisting that Ghanaians have endured unfair pricing for too long.
“My fidelity lies with the Ghanaian people. They have been cheated for years, and it is time we put an end to that,” he asserted.“ We will not allow foreign service providers to take advantage of our citizens under the guise of economic pressures.”
By: Ernest K. Arhinful