Private legal practitioner Musah Ahmed has clarified that the Communications
Minister lacks direct authority to revoke MultiChoice Ghana’s DStv operating licence.
His comments follow Minister Samuel Nartey George’s ultimatum on August 1, warning that DStv’s licence could be suspended by August 7 if subscription fees remain unchanged.
Speaking on JoyNews’ NewsDesk, Mr. Ahmed explained that under the Electronic Communications Act, the power to revoke or suspend licences resides exclusively with the National Communications Authority (NCA). “Section 13 sets out the requirements for revocation, focusing on competitiveness, free enterprise principles, and rule-of-law safeguards,” he said.
While Minister George has framed his intervention as consumer advocacy urging more affordable pay-TV pricing Mr. Ahmed emphasized that any licence action must strictly follow statutory procedures. “The minister can champion consumer interests, but licence enforcement and revocation are NCA functions,” he noted.
Mr. Ahmed observed that the minister’s public statements hint at instructions for the NCA to consider appropriate measures, yet stressed that the regulator must abide by its legal framework. “Both the minister and the regulator must comply with the law,” he added, underscoring the need for transparent, rules-based enforcement.
The clarification comes amid heightened scrutiny of pay-TV pricing in Ghana, where broadcasting licences and consumer costs remain sensitive policy issues. Stakeholders will now look to the NCA for any formal action regarding DStv’s licence status.
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