Sam George Assures Parliament of Full Briefing on DStv Action by August 7

Minister for Communication, Digital Technology & Innovations, Sam Nartey George, has responded to calls from the NPP Minority on Parliament’s Communications Select Committee for engagement over the government’s regulatory actions involving satellite broadcaster DStv.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, July 30, Mr. George, who also serves as MP for Ningo-Prampram, emphasized his respect for the Committee’s oversight role and assured members that a comprehensive update would be provided after regulatory steps are finalized on August 7.

“As Minister and an MP, I have the utmost respect for my oversight Committee. I can assure the Committee as a whole that the Ministry would provide a full update when we complete our regulatory actions on 7th August,” he stated.

Mr. George revealed that he met with DStv’s Ghanaian management on June 27, and later with officials from their headquarters on July 4, during which he demanded a 30% reduction in subscription fees and raised concerns about piracy on their platform that allegedly harms Ghana’s creative industry.

“I indicated our request of a 30% reduction and the need for DStv to deal with piracy which was being perpetrated on their platform to the detriment of Ghana,” he explained.

According to him, DStv responded with a nine-page letter on July 21, which he characterized as uncooperative and dismissive of consumer concerns. He described the government’s policy directive as a “last resort action” to address what he calls a “recalcitrant monopoly”.

“The policy directive is a last resort action to protect the Ghanaian public from what appears to be a recalcitrant monopoly which has become tone deaf to the cries of their customers,” Mr. George said.

He reiterated that the Regulator will act within the confines of the Electronic Communications Act, Act 775, to enforce terms of DStv’s license and uphold public interest.

“On the 7th of August, the Regulator would initiate action in line with the terms of the license authorisation and the Electronic Communications Act… I remain accountable to the people of Ghana in my service as Minister,” he concluded.

Mr. George’s statement comes amid growing public debate over subscription costs and service delivery by DStv, with increasing calls for regulatory intervention to ensure fairness and value for consumers.