Investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has questioned the credibility and consistency of government communications regarding its threat to shut down MultiChoice’s DSTV operations in Ghana.
In a strongly-worded commentary, Manasseh said while he supports any move that would lead to reduced subscription fees for Ghanaian consumers, the handling of the standoff between the Ministry of Communications, the National Communications Authority (NCA), and MultiChoice smacks of “dishonesty and shifting of positions.”
The dispute arose after Communications Minister Sam George announced that MultiChoice had agreed to reduce DSTV prices, only for the company to issue a press release on September 5 denying the claim. Instead, MultiChoice reaffirmed its willingness to participate in a stakeholder committee set up to address the impasse but made no commitment to slash prices.
The minister, visibly angered by the company’s denial, threatened to shut down DSTV services in Ghana if the firm failed to agree to price reductions. However, the shutdown never materialized.
Manasseh noted that the NCA’s subsequent statement failed to clarify why the government did not follow through with its threat, leaving more questions than answers.
“Agreeing to discuss a price reduction is not the same as agreeing to reduce prices,” he wrote, stressing that MultiChoice had been consistent in its stance since its September 5 press release.
He further argued that if the government had reassessed its position and decided to continue with the stakeholder engagements, the NCA should have “honestly admitted that” instead of creating an impression that lacked “both clarity and honesty.”
According to Manasseh, backing down from a rigid stance in order to achieve a more sustainable resolution should not be viewed as weakness but as a demonstration of strength and good governance.
