The Member of Parliament (MP) for Zabzugu, Hon. Alhassan Umar, has declared his full support for the government’s directive to MultiChoice Ghana, operators of DStv, to reduce subscription prices or risk suspension.
Speaking on the matter, the MP said the Communications Committee of Parliament is fully behind Minister Sam George’s uncompromising position, insisting that the broadcaster must act in the interest of Ghanaian consumers.
“Our committee gives Sam George 100% support. The Communications Committee of Parliament supports Hon. Sam George to ensure that Ghanaians benefit. For now, DStv must listen to the minister and obey. They are shortchanging us”
Hon. Alhassan Umar, MP for Zabzugu
The lawmaker maintained that MultiChoice has long abused Ghanaian subscribers and warned that the company ought to do things differently now.
The Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovations has set a September 6, 2025, deadline for MultiChoice Ghana to comply with the directive to reduce subscription fees by 30 percent. Failure to comply will result in the suspension of its licence.
The Ministry has also imposed a daily fine of GHS 10,000 for the company’s failure to submit pricing data, penalties which by Wednesday had accumulated to GHS 150,000. Hon. Umar argued that the company’s reluctance to adjust prices even during Ghana’s economic transitions.
“As you know, the NDC government came in to do a resetting agenda, so there is no reason DStv should refuse to listen to consumers. It is unacceptable that even when our currency was nothing to talk about till today, DStv has refused to reduce prices”
Hon. Alhassan Umar, MP for Zabzugu
The Zabzugu MP further highlighted the legal framework and basis underpinning the government’s decision, citing provisions under the Electronic Communications Act. “When you look at the Electronic Communications Act, it states that the government, the NCA, will be protecting consumers,” he said.
Hon. Umar also questioned the fairness of MultiChoice’s pricing system in Ghana compared with its operations elsewhere on the continent. “DStv provides services in Ghana, in Nigeria, in Kenya, in South Africa – there is no reason why their rates are far cheaper than ours,” he added.
Hon. Sam George, who earlier addressed the issue at the Digital Africa Summit, reaffirmed that the September 6 deadline stands and stressed the government’s commitment to upholding the public interest. “No company or corporation is more powerful than the collective interest of the Ghanaian people,” the Minister stated.
Restoring Confidence In The Judiciary
In a related matter, Hon. Alhassan Umar also welcomed the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo by President John Dramani Mahama, stressing that the decision would help restore confidence in Ghana’s judiciary.
President Mahama, acting under Article 146(9) of the 1992 Constitution, removed Justice Torkornoo from office on Monday, September 1, 2025. The action followed the recommendation of a committee established under Article 146(6) to investigate a petition submitted by citizen Daniel Ofori.
A statement signed by Presidential Spokesperson and Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, confirmed that the removal was in accordance with constitutional provisions and had taken immediate effect.
Mr. Umar stressed that the decision was necessary to rebuild and reinforce democratic principles, unlike some rhetoric by others who deem the move in bad faith.
“On the contrary, this is rather going to increase public trust in the judiciary and the separation of powers. Ghanaians lost trust in the judiciary, and so, the resetting agenda is on to bring trust into the judiciary.
“And for the investment environment to grow for any country you must have a strong regulatory environment, which is part of the trust in the judiciary,”
Hon. Alhassan Umar, MP for Zabzugu
With Parliament’s Communications Committee backing the government’s strict stance on MultiChoice, and with the President’s decision on the judiciary, both issues underscore the administration’s Reset Agenda, which seeks to realign governance with accountability, transparency, and public trust.
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