Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has issued a firm ultimatum to pay-TV provider DSTV, threatening to suspend its broadcasting licence in Ghana by Wednesday, August 7, if it fails to reduce its subscription fees in line with regulatory expectations.
Speaking during the Government Accountability Series on Friday, August 1, Mr George said he had written to the National Communications Authority (NCA), instructing them to initiate the suspension process should DSTV refuse to comply.
“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 warned.
The Minister revealed that his move followed a letter from DSTV defending its pricing by citing economic challenges, particularly currency depreciation. “DSTV claims the Ghanaian Cedi has depreciated by over 200% in the last eight years, and therefore, they cannot reduce their prices,” he said.
But Mr George rejected that justification, describing it as insufficient and unfair to consumers. “My fidelity lies with the Ghanaian people. They have been cheated for years, and it is time we put an end to that,” he stressed.
He concluded with a strong message to foreign service providers: “We will not allow foreign service providers to take advantage of our citizens under the guise of economic pressures.”
