Minority in Parliament is demanding urgent parliamentary scrutiny over the rising cost of DStv services, pushing for both Communications Minister, Samuel Nartey George and executives of MultiChoice Ghana to appear before the Information and Communications Committee.
The call follows growing public agitation over what many consider unjustifiably high subscription fees in Ghana, especially when compared to neighbouring countries like Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire.
In a statement dated Sunday, August 3, Ranking Member of the Committee, Matthew Nyindam, said Ghanaians were raising “legitimate concerns” that required swift and structured intervention.
“We agree that subscription fees must be set fairly and that pricing must reflect the realities of Ghana’s economy,” the statement read.
The Minority has officially written to the Committee Chair requesting a formal invitation be extended to both the Minister and MultiChoice Ghana for a hearing expected to shed light on the cost breakdown and regulatory oversight.
This move follows escalating tension between the Ministry and MultiChoice, triggered by the Minister’s ultimatum that DStv lower its prices or face a potential licence suspension by August 7.
While MultiChoice Ghana insists that operational costs justify current prices, the Minister has dismissed that argument as “illogical,” urging immediate relief for consumers in light of recent economic improvements.
The Minority, however, is urging calm and diplomacy. It warned against escalating tensions through what it termed a “media war”, instead urging diplomatic dialogue as the path forward.
“While we recognise the Ministry’s commitment to protecting the Ghanaian consumer, we believe solutions must be grounded in law, fairness, and constructive engagement. The goal should be to secure a price reduction for Ghanaians while maintaining a stable investment environment. We are therefore calling for a seizure of the media war. These matters must be settled diplomatically,” Nyindam stated.
The caucus emphasized three key priorities: transparency in pricing, consumer protection, and maintaining investor confidence in Ghana’s media and telecom sector.
Parliament is expected to take up the matter when it reconvenes, with civil society groups and consumer advocates watching closely.
Read below the statement
