The Minority in Parliament has taken strong exception to what it describes as the “confused and contradictory” handling of the DStv pricing matter by Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George.
According to the Deputy Ranking Member on the Communications Committee, Charles Owiredu, the Minister has not only failed to deliver on his promise of a 30% subscription fee reduction but has instead engaged in what he terms “public relations theatrics” with MultiChoice Ghana.
In a sharp rebuke at a presser in Accra on Thursday, October 2, Mr. Owiredu stated that the Minister’s handling of the situation exposes “a lack of mental rigour” in understanding the issues at stake and effectively communicating negotiated outcomes to the public.
“The Minister completely abandoned his original firm 30% subscription fee reduction stance for the ongoing promotional offers by MultiChoice, which he claimed was a generational success story,” Owiredu said.
“Instead of answering the legitimate questions posed by the Minority and well-meaning Ghanaians, he reverted to his usual trait of attacking critics.”
The comments come in the wake of a growing public debate surrounding a new DStv promotion by MultiChoice Ghana, which coincidentally began on October 1, 2025, offering customers value upgrades at no extra cost until the end of December. The promotion sparked confusion, with media reports and online commentary suggesting a disconnect between the government’s narrative and MultiChoice’s intentions.
The controversy deepened when MultiChoice Ghana issued a public clarification, acknowledging that a misleading FAQ on their website had caused misunderstanding. The company affirmed its full support for the government’s initiative and explained that the promotion was part of a collaborative effort with the Ministry.
They also confirmed that a review committee would evaluate the impact of the promotion after three months.
But the Minority insists that the Minister has not been transparent. Charles Owiredu questioned why Mr. George had failed to provide clear answers about the amount accrued from fines imposed on MultiChoice or explain why he had shifted focus from a regulatory approach to aligning with corporate promotional campaigns.
“This is not the action of someone who has successfully negotiated a reduction; it is the behaviour of someone attempting to take cover under pre-existing promotional offers,” Owiredu stated. “It is well known that MultiChoice has been running the ‘Step Up’ promotion since January 13, 2025, and even slashed decoder prices in July as part of ongoing customer engagement efforts. These are not new initiatives born out of the Minister’s intervention.”
As a result, the Minority is demanding the following:
1. An unqualified apology from Minister Samuel Nartey George for what they describe as a waste of the nation’s time and resources.
2. A refund of funds levied on MultiChoice, which they argue were collected under false pretenses.
3. The resignation or dismissal of the Minister, whom they say has proven unfit to lead such a strategic ministry.
“His failure to grasp key issues during meetings, or deliberate fabrication of outcomes he never achieved, is evident. This impasse reflects his unpreparedness for leadership in a complex digital ecosystem,” Owiredu added.
Source: citinewsroom.com
