Minority MPs challenge Sam George over DSTV impasse

The Minority Caucus in Parliament Wednesday rebutted Minister of Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovations Mr. Samuel Nartey George over his recent comments on the DSTV impasse.

The minority members described Mr George’s stance as “arrogant, disrespectful, and pompous,” questioning his shift in position on the price reduction.

A statement signed by Mr Mathew Nyindam, Ranking Member on the Committee on Information and Communication, and issued to the Ghana News Agency, said.

According to the statement, “Mr George has initially demanded a 30 per cent reduction in DSTV subscription prices, but the recent agreement with Multichoice Ghana seems to have taken a different turn, with the company offering more channels at no extra cost instead of a direct price reduction.”

This move has sparked controversy, with some critics arguing that it is not the cost reduction Ghanaians were promised.

Owing to that, the minority had demanded that the Minister should explain why he allegedly changed his initial stance on not accepting upgrades but instead pushed for a price reduction of not less than 30 per cent.

The statement also called for accountability on the levy funds, noting that “the government should account for funds collected from the GH¢10,000 levy imposed on DSTV since its introduction,” it said.

It also highlighted that the Caucus had written to the Committee Chairman requesting a meeting to address the DSTV impasse but emphasised that convening meetings was the responsibility of the Chairman, not ordinary members.

Ghanaian DStv subscribers are set to enjoy significantly improved service offerings following what the government describes as a major concession by MultiChoice. Mr George announced at a media engagement that MultiChoice Africa had committed to an “unprecedented increased value offer” specifically for the Ghanaian market.

The move comes after weeks of regulatory pressure and negotiations over DStv pricing in the country.

“MultiChoice Africa has committed to an unprecedented increase in value offer only in Ghana, which will result in Ghanaian DStv subscribers getting more services for less,” the Minister stated.

“Depending on the DStv package or bouquet you use, subscribers will get between 33 per cent to 50 per cent more value,” he added.

Under the new arrangement, subscribers on the Paddy bouquet will be upgraded to Access, while subscribers on the Access bouquet will automatically be upgraded to Family, and those on the Family bouquet will move up to Compact. Subscribers on Compact will be upgraded to Compact Plus, and those on Compact Plus will enjoy access to the Premium bouquet.

The Minister explained that subscribers already on the premium bouquet would not be left out—they will automatically be entered into a draw for a chance to win a fully paid trip to Dubai.

This arrangement will run for the next three months, after which the committee will reconvene to review the packages.

Source: GNA

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