The Minority in Parliament has called on President John Dramani Mahama to remove Sam Nartey George as the sector Minister for the Communication, Technology, and Innovation.

Addressing the media, the Deputy Ranking Member of the Communications and Information Committee, Charles Asuako Owiredu, cited Sam Nartey George’s inability to secure a 30 per cent reduction in DStv subscription fees for Ghanaians as the basis for their demand.

“We call on him to account for the fines levied on DStv and we deem him unfit to continue as the minister. We therefore call on him to resign or for the President to fire him.

“If you go to Namibia, Kenya, Malawi, and Botswana, the current DStv promotion is running in these countries. Having failed to achieve a 30 per cent reduction, we urge the minister to eat the humble pie since he has eggs all over his face; just eat the humble pie that, ‘I went to negotiate on behalf of Ghanaians and wanted a 30 per cent reduction, but I was only able to get value addition,’” he stated.Earlier, Sam George announced that should Multichoice fail to reduce the prices of its subscription services, the DStv broadcast license will be suspended nationwide, effective August 7, 2025.Engaging the public as part of the Government Accountability Series, the minister noted that he received a 9-page document from Multichoice on July 21 over its inability to reduce its subscription fees.

The company cited depreciation of the cedi in past years, despite the recent cedi appreciation, as the reason for its inability to reduce prices. Sam George noted that it is unacceptable for Nigerians to be paying less for the same packages offered to Ghanaians at higher costs when the naira has depreciated at an accelerating rate against the cedi.

As such, he has directed the National Communications Authority (NCA) to suspend the broadcast of DStv should Multichoice fail to reduce prices of its packages.

"Their reasons included that the cedi had depreciated in the preceding eight years by 240%, and they claimed that my request for a reduction on the basis of the appreciation of the cedi was unfounded because, in their words, the appreciation of the Ghana cedi over the last 6 months has been a fluke which could not be sustainable.

"As Minister, my fidelity is to the Ghanaian people. I have to act in the interest of the Ghanaian people, and I believe the Ghanaian people have been fleeced and exploited for too long. I wrote back to the NCA on Monday and directed the NCA in that letter to suspend the broadcasting license of dstv effective 7th of August 2025 if they fail to effect a reduction in their bundle prices.

"I can’t as minister serving the Ghanaian people, continue to watch what can be best described as plain stealing happening to the Ghanaian people. In my letter to them, I gave them scenarios from seven markets that dstv is operating in. The same content in the premium bouquet that is offered to Ghanaians for the $83 equivalent is offered to Nigerians for the $29 equivalent.

How can anyone explain this price disparity to me? Enough of the mistreatment of the Ghanaian consumer. In Nigeria, in the same timeframe, they say the Ghanaian cedi has depreciated by 240%, the Nigerian naira has depreciated by 409%. If Nigerians are paying the equivalent of $29, dstv must charge the same here in Ghana," he said.

The minister has sought a 30 percent reduction in the price of packages provided by Multichoice. In reaction, MultiChoice Ghana responded to the directive demanding an adjustment of its subscription services.

As per a statement signed by its Managing Director, Mr. Alex Okyere, on August 3, the company emphasized that the Minister's proposal to drastically review its prices is not workable.

According to the company, it acknowledges the positive impact of the local currency, the cedi, against foreign currencies, specifically the U.S. dollar. However, a significant decrease in prices cannot be attained by the company.

“While we appreciate the recent appreciation of the cedi— which we have never referred to as a ‘fluke’— it is not tenable to reduce the DStv subscription fees in the manner proposed by the Minister,” the statement read.

After weeks of back-and-forth between the two companies, Sam George said that MultiChoice Africa has declared its intention to introduce an “unprecedented increased value offer” for Ghanaian consumers.

According to him, Ghanaians will now enjoy between 33% and 50% more value on the DStv packages they purchase. Thus, DStv is giving subscribers more channels and benefits without them paying extra, effective Wednesday, October 1.

“MultiChoice Africa has committed to an unprecedented increase in value offered only in Ghana, which will result in Ghanaian DStv subscribers getting more services for less. “Depending on the DStv package or bouquet you use, subscribers will get between 33% to 50% more value,” the Minister stated.

But Ghanaian citizens were left confused after MultiChoice Ghana announced its value upgrades under what it described as the “We’ve Got You” promotion.

The communique, which answered questions often asked by the general public contradicted Sam George’s initial announcement.

“This promotion is our gesture to give our customers even more value. New, active, and previously disconnected customers who are active during the promotion period on DStv will get to view one package higher than what they have paid for at no extra cost. This promotion will run for a limited period. It will start on 01 October 2025 and run until 31 December 2025. Terms and conditions apply” parts of the FAQs explained.

Not long after, MultiChoice clarified that its earlier communique, refuting claims that Sam George lied to Ghanaians.

The statement read, “Following the recent joint press conference with the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and innovations, the National Communications Authority, MultiChoice Africa, and MultiChoice Ghana, we wish to clarify the FAQs published on our website,e which created an erroneous Impression of a contradiction regarding my DStv value offering, which, effective today 1 October 2025.

"We would like to clarify as follows. We fully support the joint media statement that was issued by the Honourable Minister, Hon Samuel Nartey George and implementation of some has already commenced”.

Despite the clarifications, the Minority maintains that Sam George should have delivered the 30% reduction in DStv subscriptions as he promised.