Former Presidential Staffer, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, has criticised Communications Minister Samuel Nartey George’s approach to the ongoing standoff with MultiChoice Ghana, describing it as “populist, blackmail, and a threat.”
In a Facebook post, Mr. Aboagye said while many Ghanaians, himself included, want DStv subscription fees reduced, the minister’s method is damaging. “It’s a liberal market; you don’t threaten businesses to reduce prices or shut them down. You sit and talk to them behind the scenes,” he argued.
He warned that such tactics could discourage investors, stressing that MultiChoice had not broken any Ghanaian law. “We want them to reduce their prices, but surely, your approach is blackmail and threats. That’s not how to lead a sector,” he wrote.
The controversy began after Sam George announced that MultiChoice had agreed to lower its fees, a claim the company denied, saying it had only committed to discussions. The Minister responded with a September 6 deadline, threatening to suspend MultiChoice Ghana’s license if prices were not reduced by 30%.
Already, the National Communications Authority (NCA) has imposed daily fines of GH¢10,000 on the company for failing to submit pricing data, amounting to about GH¢150,000 by September 3.
MultiChoice insists that a 30% reduction is not feasible, citing years of cedi depreciation, but confirmed that it had tabled alternative proposals to the government.
Despite this, Sam George has maintained a hard stance: “No company is above the law. When MultiChoice is ready to discuss a price reduction, they can come to the table. Until then, the NCA will carry out enforcement.”
The matter remains unresolved as the September 6 deadline approaches.
