Nana Romeo has called on Communications and Digitalisation Minister Sam George to abandon his fight with DSTV over pricing and instead tackle issues of greater national importance.
Speaking on his show on Okay FM, Romeo described DSTV as a non-essential service, arguing that it is a luxury product and not a necessity for Ghanaians.
“DSTV is not a necessity. It is a luxury good. Even when the NDC came to power. The president stopped the payment of DSTV in government offices. Multichoice never came to complain about it. They themselves know that DSTV is not needed by everyone; anyone who can afford it can buy it,” he said.
He cautioned that a shutdown of the satellite service would hurt Ghanaians more than it would the company, since Multichoice has invested in Ghana’s creative sector and controls exclusive rights to major sports events.
“Some movie producers have shared how Multichoice is even helping the movie industry by producing some movies and TV shows. Aside from that, those into sports can only watch through DSTV, even the World Cup qualifiers between Chad and Ghana; no Ghanaian TV station had the rights to it, only DSTV. So shutting it down will be a huge discredit to them,” Romeo stressed.
Rather than issuing threats, Romeo urged the minister to work with the service provider for a solution that benefits the public.
On the matter of pricing, he argued that price variations are not unique to DSTV and can be seen across everyday goods.
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“Speaking of overpricing, a single product like a bottle of water can be sold at different prices at different places. We need a general pricing mechanism. These are the things to be fighting for. Not DSTV,” he stated.
Romeo also reminded Sam George of his past advocacy against LGBTQ+, suggesting that the minister’s silence on that matter since taking office contrasts with his current stance on DSTV.
“Before you came into power, you focused on the issue of LGBTQ. Ever since you came to office, you have been silent on it. These are things to be fighting for, not DSTV,” the OKay FM presenter averred.
Watch his statement below.
