Sam George Backs NPP Minority’s Call for Engagement, Vows Fairness in DStv Price Concerns

The Minister for Communications and Member of Parliament, Hon. Sam George, has expressed appreciation for the call by the Minority in Parliament’s Communications Select Committee for engagement on the recent concerns surrounding pay-TV operator DStv.

In a statement released on Monday, Hon. George reaffirmed his commitment to transparency and accountability, assuring the Committee that a comprehensive update will be provided after the Ministry concludes regulatory actions on August 7.

“I have the utmost respect for my oversight Committee and assure the Committee as a whole that the Ministry will provide a full update when we complete our regulatory actions,” he said.

According to the Minister, proactive steps had already been taken to engage DStv’s management over public complaints about high subscription rates. He noted that on June 27, he met with the Ghanaian management team of DStv to raise his concerns. This was followed by a meeting with the company’s headquarters representatives on July 4 — a date that fell on a national holiday.

“At that meeting, I indicated our request for a 30% reduction in pricing and highlighted the need for DStv to take action against piracy on its platform, which is adversely affecting local content providers and consumers in Ghana,” he disclosed. The Minister also shared that he has photographic and video evidence from these meetings.

DStv later responded with a 9-page letter dated July 21. Hon. George noted the tone and content of the letter reinforced the government’s resolve to act in the public interest. “If the 1-page letter annoyed you, imagine what was in the 9-pager,” he remarked.

He described the Ministry’s recent policy directive as a “last resort action” aimed at protecting Ghanaians from the practices of a “recalcitrant monopoly” that appears indifferent to the concerns of its customer base.

“In line with the terms of the license authorisation and the Electronic Communications Act, Act 775, the Regulator will initiate appropriate action on August 7. We will act within the law and in the interest of the Ghanaian people. The RESET agenda demands this action for sanity to prevail,” he emphasized.

Hon. George concluded his statement with a reaffirmation of his accountability to Ghanaians:

“I remain accountable to the people of Ghana in my service as Minister. For God and Country.”

The announcement comes amid increasing public outcry over subscription rate hikes by DStv, and growing demands for fair and competitive pricing in Ghana’s digital television space.