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South Africa has formally entered the diplomatic fray over the ongoing dispute between Ghana’s Ministry of Communications and MultiChoice Ghana regarding subscription fee hikes for DStv services.
Deputy Ranking Member on the Parliamentary Communications Committee and Abirem MP, Charles Owiredu, disclosed that South Africa’s Foreign Minister is expected in Accra this week for talks with Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudjeto Ablakwa. The intervention comes as relations between Ghana and the South African pay-TV giant edge toward confrontation.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Mr Owiredu described the situation as “avoidable” and urged restraint.
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“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 cautioned.
He acknowledged that MultiChoice may cite exchange rate pressures as justification for recent increases but maintained that such issues must 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 stressed.
Mr Owiredu emphasised that Ghana’s longstanding diplomatic and economic ties with South Africa should not be jeopardised over a commercial disagreement.
“The relationship between Ghana and South Africa has come a long way. It is not this issue [that should undermine it],” he noted.
He revealed that Parliament’s Communications Committee had already scheduled a meeting to engage the Ministry of Communications, the National Communications Authority (NCA), and MultiChoice Ghana. However, the session was postponed following last week’s tragic helicopter crash.
The Committee is now set to reconvene with the NCA on Wednesday, September 10, with the MultiChoice pricing issue expected to dominate the agenda.
Meanwhile, the NCA confirmed that MultiChoice Ghana has formally responded to the Ministry’s threat to suspend its authorisation if it failed to justify the subscription hikes. The regulator disclosed that MultiChoice has agreed to participate fully in the Stakeholder Committee established by Communications Minister Sam George to review DStv pricing.
The first meeting of the committee has been scheduled for Monday, September 8, 2025, where MultiChoice’s cost structure will undergo detailed scrutiny.
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