Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Quashie, has denied claims that South Africa’s Foreign Affairs Minister is heading to Ghana to help resolve the impasse over DStv subscription fees.
His comments follow unconfirmed media reports that South Africa has activated diplomatic efforts to resolve the standoff between Ghana’s Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation and MultiChoice Ghana, the operators of DStv.
However, the Minister, in reaction to the development in an exclusive interview with TV3 on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, indicated that the assertions are untrue, dispelling rumours that South Africans are launching reprisal attacks on Ghanaian businesses in Cape Town.
“I can confidently say to you that it’s not true. The media reports that have indicated that the Foreign Affairs Minister from South Africa is coming to Ghana because of the multi-choice brouhaha is not true. There is no Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs from South Africa in Ghana as we speak to lead any negotiations,” Quashie stated.
He disclosed, however, that the South African Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister was supposed to meet with Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, to discuss other bilateral issues.
He admitted that although the MultiChoice saga could have arisen during the deliberations, it was not the reason for the meeting, which was canceled because Ablakwa had to accompany the Vice President to Ethiopia.
He noted that plans are in place to reschedule the meeting between the two foreign ministries, reiterating that the diplomatic engagement had nothing to do with the MultiChoice and Communications Ministry dispute.
“So that meeting couldn’t come on and we’re trying to set another date for that meeting. But let me reiterate that there’s no minister, any minister, or any government official from South Africa who is in Ghana to come and mediate or be part of the negotiations with multi-choice and the Ministry of Communication,” he indicated.
The controversy comes on the back of the government’s threat to suspend DStv operations in the country if MultiChoice fails to reduce its subscription fees.
Meanwhile, the National Communications Authority (NCA) has initiated discussions with the company, setting up a stakeholder committee to facilitate engagements on the issue.
The Minister of Communication, Digitalisation, and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, had given an ultimatum at a Government Accountability Series for MultiChoice to reduce DSTV subscription charges or risk having their operating license revoked.
After further engagements, the Minister announced that an agreement had been reached to reduce the prices, following MultiChoice’s initial refusal to comply with the Minister’s directive.
In a latest response, MultiChoice noted that it is engaging relevant stakeholders to determine the way forward but has not agreed to any subscription cuts as communicated by Sam George.
The Minister, in response, also emphasised that the company must comply with the laws of the land, reiterating that no entity is above the law.
The NCA, in a Sunday, September 7, 2025 statement said while it “reviews their submission, there have been further engagements with MultiChoice Ghana regarding its public statement dated, 5th September 2025.”
As part of the clarifications obtained, the Authority stated that MultiChoice Ghana has agreed with the Minister’s directive for “the establishment of a Stakeholder Committee to evaluate DSTV pricing in Ghana and that they intend to fully participate in this work.”
While indicating that the outcome of the Committee’s work would be determined at the end of its work, it added that “MutiChoice has confirmed that it will respect due process and the laws of Ghana and its people.”
The statement further indicated that the Stakeholder Committee will have its first meeting on Monday, September 8, 2025.
I’m open to price reduction talks, nothing else – Sam George to MultiChoice on DStv fees
