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Reindolph Afrifa-Oware, Director of Communications and Corporate Affairs for the National Tenants Union of Ghana and a respected political analyst, has issued a strong call for market-conscious leadership in Ghana’s communications sector, following recent tensions between the Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation and MultiChoice Ghana (DStv).
Speaking in an exclusive interview, Afrifa-Oware criticized the Minister, Hon. Samuel Nartey George, for what he described as “regulatory overreach” after the Minister threatened to shut down DStv over its refusal to reduce subscription fees by 30%, a move Afrifa-Oware says lacks legal grounding and economic rationale.
“Ghana is not under a price control regime,” Afrifa-Oware stated. “You cannot compel a private entity to slash its prices without addressing the cost structures that drive those prices. That’s not regulation, that’s coercion.”
He warned that such actions risk undermining investor confidence and could deter foreign direct investment in a sector that thrives on innovation and competition.
“This kind of populist posturing may win headlines, but it sends the wrong signals to the international business community,” he added. “We need leadership that understands the dynamics of open markets, not one that weaponizes authority.”
Afrifa-Oware pointed to the legacy of former Minister Hon. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful as a model of effective leadership. He praised her tenure for its strategic focus on digital transformation, broadband expansion, and support for local tech startups.
“Ursula Owusu-Ekuful didn’t just regulate, she built. She laid fiber, trained girls in ICT, and created a climate where innovation could flourish. That’s the kind of leadership we need now.”
He emphasized that if affordability is the goal, the solution lies in fostering competition, reducing operational barriers, and incentivizing new market entrants, not in threatening existing players.
“We should be talking about rural connectivity, cybersecurity, and digital literacy. These are the real issues affecting millions of Ghanaians—not subscription fees on premium TV.”
Afrifa-Oware concluded with a challenge to Minister George:
“Rise to the occasion. Inspire confidence. Build trust. The communications sector doesn’t need intimidation; it needs vision.”
The debate over DStv pricing has sparked broader conversations about regulatory ethics, market freedom, and the future of Ghana’s digital economy. As stakeholders weigh in, the call for principled, forward-thinking leadership grows louder.
