Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Benjamin Quarshie, has assured that the ongoing standoff between government and pay TV operator, Multichoice, will not spiral into a diplomatic or trade war between Accra and Pretoria.
The assurance follows heightened tensions after Communications Minister, Sam Nartey George, threatened to shut down Multichoice operations if the South African-owned company failed to slash subscription prices within a 14-day ultimatum.
While Multichoice initially hinted at a willingness to review its charges, the company later clarified that it had not committed to the government’s timeline – a move that sparked public outcry and concerns about Ghana’s relations with South Africa.
Mr. Quarshie acknowledged that South African officials are displeased with the manner in which the dispute has played out in the media rather than behind closed doors.
“It is true, they’ve complained that we are doing this in the public domain. They want it done in the boardroom. The Foreign Affairs Minister has engaged them, and I can assure Ghanaians that diplomacy will resolve this matter,” he told Blessed Sogah.
The High Commissioner stressed that the Ghanaian government is not seeking confrontation but rather “quality service at affordable prices” for consumers.
The controversy began when the Ministry of Communications demanded that Multichoice, operators of DStv, reduce subscription fees in Ghana, citing disparities with what subscribers pay in other African countries.
The Minister argued that Ghanaian customers are paying more while receiving less value, insisting that a reduction was the only fair outcome.
Multichoice, however, pushed back, attributing its pricing to operational costs, regulatory obligations and anti-piracy measures.
The company maintained that while a review of charges could be considered, it would not be bound by the strict timeframe imposed by government.
This sharp divergence triggered fears that Ghana could follow through with its threat to shut down the broadcaster – a move with potentially wider diplomatic and economic consequences.
High Commissioner Quarshie admitted that while the Minister’s tough stance resonates with many Ghanaians, the situation also has implications for investor confidence.
“As diplomats, we are tasked with attracting investment into the country. So, while protecting the Ghanaian consumer is critical, we must also protect the interests of investors who bring capital into our economy,” he said.
South Africa remains one of Ghana’s largest trading partners, with several South African businesses – including MTN – holding significant stakes in the Ghanaian market.
Past corporate exits, such as GAME’s departure, have raised concerns about how regulatory disputes are handled.
Mr. Quarshie further noted that mishandling the Multichoice issue could undermine efforts to deepen African economic cooperation under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), headquartered in Accra.
“South Africa is a big economy, one we need to learn from. We should not make it appear as though we are fighting. That does not bode well for intra-African trade,” he cautioned.
The High Commissioner called for calm, particularly among Ghanaians living in South Africa who fear possible backlash.
“There is no trade war. We are not fighting with South Africa. We will sit at the table, negotiate, and ensure that nobody loses. The interest of the Ghanaian people comes first, but we will also protect the business interest of investors,” he emphasised.
Mr. Quarshie expressed confidence that ongoing talks between Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Ministry and its South African counterpart would soon yield an amicable settlement.
