Former Information Minister Fatimatu Abubakar has expressed concern over the public back-and-forth between the government and MultiChoice Ghana.
According to her, such disputes could damage Ghana’s appeal to foreign investors and investor confidence.
Speaking on Prime Insights on Joy Prime TV, Madam Abubakar urged that sensitive negotiations be handled discreetly, without creating a spectacle on social media:
“We should bear in mind that some of these negotiations can happen, and results can be achieved, without necessarily having social media banter and without putting cameras on it to show who is right … This spectacle is not good for the image of a country like Ghana that is seeking to attract a lot of FDIs.”
She argued that a simple announcement of a successful agreement with MultiChoice, delivered after negotiations behind closed doors, would have built public excitement and confidence, unlike the current drawn-out, public spectacle of denials and accusations.
Madam Abubakar warned that the ongoing public warfare over pricing could undermine the country’s business image and hamper efforts to attract investment.
Last night, Communications Minister Samuel George issued a final warning to satellite television giant MultiChoice Ghana, threatening to shut down its operations today if the company fails to engage in negotiations over a price reduction.
In a strongly worded tweet on Friday night, the minister accused the company of disrespecting Ghanaians and reneging on its initial promise to discuss the matter.
The minister’s ultimatum comes after weeks of a tense standoff over DStv tariffs, which the government and consumers have long deemed exorbitant.
Citing a mandate from the government to address the high cost of satellite television, the minister had given MultiChoice a deadline of September 6 to agree on a price review.
In his latest post, the minister made his position unequivocally clear.
“I have no intention to continue tolerating the disrespect to Ghanaians by DStv,” he stated.
He added that if MultiChoice was no longer interested in a price discussion, as suggested by their latest statement, the government would proceed with its planned enforcement action.