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The West African Regional Director of CUTS International, Appiah Kusi Adomako, has urged the government to enact a national competition law aimed at curbing monopolistic practices in critical sectors, particularly in the pay-TV industry.
This call comes in the wake of MultiChoice’s refusal to lower prices for its DStv service, a decision that has sparked significant public concern.
During the Government Accountability Series held on August 1, Communications Minister Samuel Nartey George revealed that MultiChoice justified its pricing strategy in a comprehensive nine-page document.
The company attributed its inability to reduce prices to the cedi’s substantial depreciation, which has reached 240% over the past eight years, despite recent gains in currency value.
In response to the company’s stance, Minister George has taken a firm stand, directing the National Communications Authority (NCA) to consider suspending DStv’s broadcasting licence if the company does not implement a price reduction by August 7, 2025.
Commenting on the development in an interview with Citi Eyewitness News on Friday, August 1, Adomako highlighted the detrimental effects of a lack of competition in the market, which has allowed companies like MultiChoice to operate without adequate regulatory oversight.
“As a country, if we want to reduce such a dominant monopoly, I think that we need to come up with a competition law,” Adomako stated.
He expressed confidence that a well-structured competition law could effectively address issues of monopolistic practices and protect consumer rights.
Mr Adomako pointed out that Ghana has had a draft competition bill pending for nearly two decades, yet it has not been presented to Parliament for approval.
“Of course, we have this draft bill hanging over the Ministry of Trade for the past 18 years, and it’s never gone to Parliament,” he lamented.
Mr Adomako’s call to action resonates with many Ghanaians who feel the pinch of high pay-TV prices.
The lack of alternatives forces consumers to accept unfavourable pricing without recourse.
If the competition bill is finally tabled and passed, it could pave the way for a more equitable marketplace where consumers have better choices and fair prices.
“We hope that once Ghana is able to put it before Parliament, we can get some of these things destroyed,” Mr Adomako concluded, emphasising the urgent need for legislative action to protect consumer interests and enhance market competition.
This delay raises concerns about the government’s commitment to establishing a fair, competitive landscape for consumers.
The absence of a national competition law has far-reaching implications.
Without effective legislation, consumers remain vulnerable to price hikes and poor service quality, as dominant players in the market operate with little fear of regulatory repercussions.
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Source: MyJoyOnline | Continue to Full Story…
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