The Minority in Parliament is calling for the dismissal of Communications Minister, Sam George, accusing him of misleading the public and mishandling negotiations with MultiChoice over DStv subscription prices.
At a press conference in Accra on Thursday, October 2, Deputy Ranking Member on the Communications Committee, Charles Owiredu, said the minister’s claim of securing a 30% reduction in DStv prices was misleading. According to him, MultiChoice’s subsequent clarification revealed that the supposed reduction was nothing more than a temporary promotional offer.
“His failure to grasp key issues during meetings and communicate the actual negotiated outcomes to Ghanaians or a deliberate fabrication of what he was never able to broker is evident,” Mr. Owiredu stated.
MultiChoice itself issued a press release rejecting the minister’s assertion of a permanent price cut, stressing that the current offer was only a value promotion. The Minority argues that this episode not only embarrassed the government but also eroded public trust in official communication.
Mr. Owiredu further accused the minister of sidelining the National Communications Authority (NCA) during the standoff, describing his approach as “arbitrary” and potentially harmful to the growth of Ghana’s digital industry. He also questioned the minister’s earlier claims of imposing fines on MultiChoice.
“The minister owes Ghanaians clarity on how much was collected, where the money is, and how it has been applied,” he said.
The Minority insists that Mr. George’s conduct shows “a lack of candour, poor judgment, and a breach of the president’s code of conduct,” which requires truthfulness and respect in public office.
The Minority outlined three main demands in response to the controversy. First, they insisted that the minister must issue an unreserved apology to the people of Ghana for what they described as misleading claims about the outcome of the negotiations with MultiChoice. Second, they called for full disclosure regarding the fines the minister previously claimed to have imposed on the company, demanding clarity on how much was collected, where the funds are currently held, and how they have been applied.
Finally, the Minority pressed for the minister’s resignation, arguing that his conduct has rendered him unfit to continue in office. Should he refuse to step down, they urged the President to relieve him of his duties.
