DSTV, Sam George dispute calls for boardroom solution, not public showdown – Benjamin Quashie

Mr. Benjamin Kofi Quashie, South African High Commissioner-designate, has weighed in on the ongoing standoff between Communications and Digitalisation Minister Samuel Nartey George and MultiChoice Ghana, warning that the matter could have implications for diplomatic relations and investor confidence in Ghana.

He acknowledged that the regulator’s call for reduced DStv service charges was legitimate but stressed the need for constructive dialogue to resolve the dispute.

Speaking on JoyNews on September 5, 2025, Mr. Quashie noted that South Africa had been drawn into the controversy and was ready to work toward a peaceful settlement. "The challenge could be resolved amicably in the boardroom rather than in the public domain," he said, adding that information he had gathered showed that Pretoria preferred negotiations. He further revealed that Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister had played a key role in engaging the Communications Minister to ease tensions.

On possible retaliatory actions by South Africa against Ghanaian interests, Mr. Quashie said it was a diplomatic matter that could be handled but admitted such measures could dent investor confidence. "Though it's a challenge, John Mahama and his administration will resolve the matter in the days to come," he assured.

He also pointed out that a government assessment of DStv pricing across the sub-region revealed that Ghanaian subscribers were paying unfairly high rates. This, he said, required urgent resolution in a way that benefited both the Ghanaian public and MultiChoice. "Even if they're going, diplomatically, it's not good for the optics and also not good for them to leave on a bitter note," he cautioned.

According to him, any settlement must balance national and business interests. "We need to marry the interests of Ghanaians and that of Multichoice and amicably resolve the matter. The company has agreed to a reduction but only disagrees with the framework. Both parties can sit to agree on the way forward," he noted.

Rejecting claims that diplomats had failed to intervene, he commended Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister for sustained engagement with South African counterparts. "The Minister for Foreign Affairs has extensively engaged his South African counterparts... we're not at war with you, but only want the right things to be done. With Okudjeto in there, the matter will be resolved," Mr. Quashie said.

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