South Africa has waded into the ongoing standoff between Ghana’s Ministry of Communications and MultiChoice Ghana over DStv subscription fees, as diplomatic efforts intensify to resolve the impasse.
Deputy Ranking Member on the Communications Committee and Abirem MP, Charles Owiredu, has revealed that South Africa’s Foreign Minister is expected in Accra this week to meet with Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudjeto Ablakwa, on the matter.
Speaking in an interview on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Mr. Owiredu described the situation as avoidable and cautioned against escalating tensions.
“To me, it shouldn’t have gotten to this level. This is an issue that can be solved amicably, not through threats and ultimatums,” he said.
He explained that while MultiChoice may point to the rising dollar as justification for increasing prices, such matters should be addressed quietly through dialogue.
“DSTV can even give justification that they increased prices because of the dollar. But the way forward should be proper dialogue, not social media pronouncements and ultimatums,” he added.
Mr. Owiredu argued that Ghana’s relationship with South Africa must be protected, stressing that the matter does not warrant straining bilateral ties.
“The relationship between Ghana and South Africa has come a long way. It is not this issue that should destroy it,” he noted.
He disclosed that the Communications Committee in Parliament had already scheduled a meeting to engage both sides, the Ministry of Communications, the National Communications Authority (NCA), and MultiChoice, but the session was postponed following the recent helicopter crash.
The committee is now set to reconvene with the NCA on Wednesday, September 10, where the MultiChoice matter will be high on the agenda.
According to him, a balanced approach was needed.
“The conversation could be shaped in such a way that DSTV will not lose and subscribers will also not lose. The minister’s approach of going on social media and issuing ultimatums is not the way to go. You need diplomatic channels to resolve this.”
Meanwhile, the National Communications Authority (NCA) has confirmed receiving MultiChoice Ghana’s formal response to the Ministry’s threat to suspend its authorisation if it failed to justify recent subscription hikes.
The regulator said engagements have yielded some progress, with MultiChoice Ghana agreeing to fully participate in the Stakeholder Committee set up by the Communications Minister, Sam George, to evaluate DStv pricing in Ghana.
The first meeting of the committee is scheduled for Monday, September 8, 2025, where MultiChoice’s pricing structure will come under scrutiny.
Source: Dorcas Abedu-Kennedy
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