Monday, 04 August

DStv Prices: I commend Sam George for standing up for consumers, but we must engage carefully – Mpraeso MP

News
Davies Opoku Ansah

The Member of Parliament for Mpraeso, Davis Ansah Opoku, has thrown his support behind the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, for his bold stance on the high cost of DStv subscriptions in Ghana. 

In a Facebook post on Sunday, August 3, Mr Opoku said he welcomed the Minister’s commitment to protecting Ghanaian consumers, but cautioned that the approach must be strategic to avoid unintended consequences.

“I commend Sam George for standing up for consumers,” Mr Opoku stated, referencing the Minister’s recent efforts to challenge the pricing structure of MultiChoice, operators of DStv. 

He said the disparity between what Ghanaians pay and what other African countries are charged is indefensible, citing figures that show Ghanaian subscribers pay nearly three times more than their Nigerian counterparts for the same services.

Despite applauding the Minister’s intervention, Mr Opoku warned against abrupt actions such as the immediate revocation of MultiChoice’s operating license. 

He stressed that while the frustrations of consumers are valid, many hotels, pubs, and families rely heavily on the service for entertainment and business. 

“We must engage carefully,” he advised, noting that heavy-handed regulatory action could harm the very people the government seeks to protect.

Mr Opoku called for a more measured and constructive dialogue with MultiChoice to secure meaningful price reductions. 

He said Ghana must insist on fair, regionally aligned pricing but must do so through negotiation rather than threats. 

“We need constructive engagement with MultiChoice that delivers genuine price reductions, not excuses,” he emphasised.

Source: Classfmonline.com/Cecil Mensah