The Member of Parliament for Zabzugu, Alhassan Umar, has thrown his full support behind government’s decision to suspend the operations of MultiChoice Ghana, operators of DStv, if the company fails to comply with directives to reduce subscription fees.
Speaking in an interview on Channel One Newsroom, Umar stressed that the government was acting within the law to protect consumers.
“The basis of shutting it down is that when you look at the Electronic Communications Act, it states that the government, the NCA, will be protecting consumers,” he explained, noting that the National Communications Authority (NCA) has both the mandate and responsibility to act when companies exploit subscribers.
Umar also criticized the disparity in subscription prices across different African markets, arguing that Ghanaians were being unfairly charged.
“There is no reason why DStv provides services in Ghana, in Nigeria, in Kenya, in South Africa — their rates are far cheaper than ours,” he said, insisting that Ghanaians should not be made to pay more for the same service enjoyed at lower costs elsewhere.
The Zabzugu legislator further emphasized that corporate interests cannot be placed above the welfare of the citizenry.
“No company or corporation is more powerful than the collective interest of the Ghanaian people,” Umar declared.
His comment comes days after the government, through the Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovations, has reiterated its determination to act if MultiChoice fails to comply.
Sam George announced that the company has until September 6, 2025, to reach an agreement or risk suspension of its licence.
In addition to the looming suspension, MultiChoice is already facing a GHC 10,000 daily penalty for failing to submit key pricing data. As of Wednesday, the fine has accumulated to approximately GHC 150,000.
Sam George explained:
“On August 7, the NCA, acting on my behalf, issued a 30-day notice to suspend the licence of Multichoice Ghana Limited because they failed to cut their price by 30%. Some 15 days ago, I met with them and imposed a GHC10,000 daily fine on them. So, now they owe us about GHC150,000, which the NCA will collect.”
He added that the company’s operations will be shut down on September 6 if no resolution is reached.
“No company holds more power than the citizenry of Ghana,” he affirmed.
