by Thinus Ferreira
It's an all out nasty war between Ghana's government and MultiChoice that has refused a price-drop demand by the government, with the country's communication minister now alleging MultiChoice asked the South African government to pressure Ghana's government to back off, and saying new owner Canal+ has a better attitude than MultiChoice executives.
MultiChoice Ghana is at risk of having its DStv broadcasting licence revoked in the political war that Ghana's communications minister has started with the pay-TV operator - demanding a massive price drop for DStv in the West African country struggling with a failing economy, rampant inflation and a very weak local currency.
Ghana's belligerent communication minister Sam George, who demanded that MultiChoice Ghana immediately drops its DStv subscription fees by 30% or face suspension of its broadcasting licence, is keeping up his nasty political attack on the pan-African pay-TV operator.
Sam George, in a radio interview with Joy FM, slammed MultiChoice for allegedly getting South Africa's government to try and put pressure on Ghana's government to back off.
"Look at the places they are walking around, getting the foreign minister of South Africa to call the Ghanaian foreign minister to call me - it's not going to work. Making it a foreign issue," Sam George said.
TVwithThinus asked MultiChoice earlier this week for comment and if it asked the South African government and minister of foreign affairs to intervene and contact Ghana's government. MultiChoice didn't respond to the media query.
Sam George also claims that France's Canal+ that is in the end-phase of its buyout and takeover of MultiChoice, is much better to deal with than MultiChoice and allegedly has a better attitude.
"Canal+ has reached out and I've made it clear to them that if they want to come into Ghana and operate, that is our request. Canal+'s attitude is light years more positive than that of MultiChoice," Sam George said.
MultiChoice was also asked for comment about Sam George alleging that Canal+ is "more positive" than MultiChoice.
MultiChoice didn't respond to this question seeking comment either.
In a statement, Maxime Saada, Canal+ CEO, said "We are closely monitoring the situation in Ghana. Canal+ has a long Canal+ has a long and successful history of working collaboratively with regulatory bodies across Africa",
"Upon the successful completion of our acquisition of MultiChoice, we look forward to engaging directly with the ministry and all stakeholders to build a future that serves the interests of Ghanaian audiences and the creative industry."
MultiChoice Ghana has until 6 September to respond to the ultimatum of the Ghanaian government, after its Ghana's National Communications Authority (NCA) gave MultiChoice Ghana a 30-day notice that its broadcasting licence is going to be revoked.
