Is it by force to watch DStv? Franklin Cudjoe Weighs in on Sam George vs MultiChoice

The ongoing standoff between Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, and MultiChoice Ghana over DStv subscription fees has taken a lighter twist, with policy analyst Franklin Cudjoe chiming in.

Amid the serious back and forth over pricing and consumer rights, Cudjoe injected some humour into the debate while pointing out what he considers to be misplaced priorities.

“On a lighter note, is it by force to watch DStv? I do not recall it being part of man’s inalienable rights?” he said, adding that “those rights are available for free with GTV, Agraada TV, Osofo KyireAbosom TV and many other free to air channels.”

He further suggested that subscription to DStv should not be treated as a public entitlement. “DStv is not a mandate or licence for vaccination against childhood killer diseases, so it is not mandatory. Just tune off if you must,” he teased.

Cudjoe also revealed his own decision to cut ties with the service. “I have cut back on three DStv accounts and I’d rather pay to listen to the Economist magazine’s or Financial Times news podcasts,” he said.

Taking a subtle jab at the minister, he added, “After all the resetting government has terminated all DStv subscriptions for all government offices including my brother, Sam George’s office and we have saved Ghana millions.”

His comments come on the heels of a rejection by Sam George of a proposal allegedly made by MultiChoice Ghana. The company reportedly offered to maintain existing bouquet prices but halt the repatriation of revenue to its headquarters — an offer the minister described as “illogical and out of touch.”

Sam George has argued that DStv’s April 2025 price hike was unjustified, especially during a period when the cedi was gaining strength and inflation and fuel prices had fallen. He maintains that MultiChoice must reduce its rates to reflect current economic conditions in Ghana.

In its response, MultiChoice Ghana defended its pricing structure, describing the minister’s proposal as “not tenable” and bemoaned what it termed a “breakdown in trust.”

The exchange has sparked wide public interest, drawing in observers like Franklin Cudjoe, who, even with a touch of sarcasm, reminded Ghanaians that subscribing to DStv remains a personal choice — not a national obligation.

Source: Liberalprint.com