Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has issued a strong warning to DSTV, threatening a suspension of its broadcasting licence if the company fails to reduce its subscription fees in Ghana by Wednesday, August 7.
Speaking during the Government Accountability Series on Friday, August 1, Mr. George announced that he has formally instructed the National Communications Authority (NCA) to begin the suspension process should DSTV continue to ignore regulatory directives on pricing.
“I have directed the NCA to act swiftly. If by the 7th of August DSTV has not complied, their broadcasting licence will be suspended,” he stated firmly.
The Minister's directive follows a recent response from DSTV, in which the broadcaster defended its current pricing model, citing macroeconomic challenges and the depreciation of the Ghanaian cedi.
“DSTV claims the cedi has depreciated by over 200% in the last eight years, which they say makes a price reduction unfeasible,” Mr. George revealed.
However, he rejected that justification, arguing that Ghanaian consumers have suffered unfair pricing for far too long.
“My loyalty is to the Ghanaian people. They have been overcharged for years, and it’s time we put a stop to it,” he stressed. “We will not allow foreign service providers to exploit our citizens under the excuse of economic conditions.”
The Minister’s ultimatum places significant pressure on DSTV to adjust its pricing, as the August 7 deadline approaches.
Story By: Afia Ohenewaa Akyerem