The Zabzugu Member of Parliament, Alhassan Umar, has thrown his weight behind the government’s decision to suspend MultiChoice Ghana’s operations if the company fails to reduce its DStv subscription prices by 30% by September 6, 2025.
As a member of the Communications Committee of Parliament, Mr. Umar expressed full support for Minister Sam George’s stance, saying, “Our committee gives Sam George a 100% support. The Communications Committee of Parliament supports Hon. Sam George to ensure that Ghanaians benefit.”
According to him, MultiChoice must comply with the government’s directive or face consequences, stating, “For now, DStv must listen to the minister and obey. They are shortchanging us.” The government has imposed a GHC10,000 daily fine on MultiChoice for failing to submit pricing data, with total penalties reaching GHC150,000 as of Wednesday.
The Minister of Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovations, Samuel George, reaffirmed the September 6 deadline, warning that the government will not tolerate any company operating above the law. “No company or corporation is more powerful than the collective interest of the Ghanaian people,” George emphasised.
Mr. Umar questioned the fairness of DStv’s pricing structure in Ghana compared to other African countries, noting, “There is no reason why DStv provides services in Ghana, in Nigeria, in Kenya, in South Africa — their rates are far cheaper than ours.”
The MP cited the Electronic Communications Act as legal justification for the government’s action, explaining, “The basis of shutting it down is that when you look at the Electronic Communications Act, it states that the government, the NCA, will be protecting consumers.”
With the deadline looming, it remains to be seen whether MultiChoice will comply with the government’s directive or face the consequences.
