Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Quarshie, has called for calm and urged discreet diplomacy in the ongoing standoff between Ghana’s Ministry of Communications and pay-TV operator Multichoice.

The dispute escalated after Communications Minister Sam George issued a 14-day ultimatum to the South African-owned broadcaster to reduce subscription charges or risk being shut down.

While Multichoice initially hinted at reviewing its pricing structure, the company later clarified that it had not agreed to the Ministry’s timeline—a move that further heightened tensions.

Speaking in an interview with JoyNews, Mr. Quarshie disclosed that South African authorities have expressed concern over the public nature of the exchanges.

“It is true, they’ve complained that we are doing this in the public domain.

They want it done in the boardroom.

The Foreign Affairs Minister has engaged them, and I can assure Ghanaians that diplomacy will resolve this matter,” he assured.

The High Commissioner acknowledged that Ghana’s push for fairer subscription fees was legitimate but stressed the need for negotiations that protect both consumer interests and investor confidence.

“The interest of the Ghanaian people comes first, but we must also protect the business interest of investors who contribute to our economy,” he explained.

Minister Sam George has argued that Ghanaian subscribers pay disproportionately higher fees for Multichoice services compared to other African countries, insisting that regulatory enforcement is necessary to guarantee fairness.

The company, however, maintains that its pricing reflects higher operational costs and regulatory compliance obligations in Ghana.

Mr. Quarshie cautioned that public confrontations could create unnecessary tensions between the two countries, warning of possible negative implications for bilateral ties, particularly under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).

“South Africa is a big economy, one we need to learn from.

We should not make it appear as though we are fighting.

That does not bode well for intra-African trade,” he said.

He reassured Ghanaians at home and abroad that the matter would be resolved through dialogue, not confrontation.

“There is no trade war. We will sit at the table, negotiate, and ensure that nobody loses. The Foreign Affairs Minister is leading the process, and I am confident we will arrive at an amicable solution,” he emphasised.