President of the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) has issued a fervent plea for careful consideration in the pricing of Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT), underscoring the pivotal role of the media as a cornerstone of democracy.

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The statement comes amid ongoing discussions and decisions regarding the pricing structure of DTT services. The GIBA President, whose organization represents a significant portion of the country's broadcasters, expressed concerns about the potential impact on the media industry.

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Addressing the issue on JoyNews' PM Express, Mr Sunkwa-Mills, noted that: “It's a bit simplistic to look at the commercial model of exactly how much you have spent and then you just divide and split - that is a very simplistic model. It is not operated like that, especially for media in so many countries because you want your media to survive."

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He consequently urged for transparent dialogues with the sector Minister, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, concerning the excessively high costs associated with operating on the national DTT platform.

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He emphasized the necessity to take into account the diverse circumstances of different broadcasters, raising queries about whether entities such as the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) and community radio stations should share an identical monthly cost.

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Mr. Sunkwa-Mills expressed dissatisfaction with the procedure, disclosing that despite an initial understanding for a subsequent meeting with the Ministry and the Communication Committee in Parliament, the Minister released pricing details the following day.

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According to GIBA, this action overlooked the ongoing discussions and the imperative for additional engagement.

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The President of GIBA underscored that the association had sought legal interpretation to comprehend the Minister's authority in establishing the figure without thorough engagement and clarification on the cost structure.

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He emphasized the significance of a transparent process and conveyed optimism that a reasonable resolution would be attained through dialogue.

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