The founder and leader of the United Front Party (UFP), Akwasi Addai Odike, has urged Minister for Communications, Sam George, to channel his energy into strengthening Ghana Television (GTV) to meet the standards of DSTV, instead of engaging in regulatory battles with Multichoice Ghana Limited over subscription fees.
His remarks come in the wake of the ongoing exchanges between the Minister for Communications, Sam George, and Multichoice Ghana Limited regarding DSTV pricing.
Speaking in an interview, Mr. Odike argued that Ghana has consistently failed to support indigenous enterprises, while foreign-owned businesses continue to receive protection and dominance.
He noted that during the era of former Head of State Ignatius Kutu Acheampong, popularly known as I.K. Acheampong, government demonstrated commitment to local businesses by investing in enterprises such as Tata Bureau, Kwahu Motors, and the Kumasi Shoe Factory. These factories, he said, collapsed under the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s trade liberalization policies.
Mr. Odike further stated that both NDC and NPP administrations have allowed corporate businesses to fall into the hands of foreigners, leaving government with little moral authority to challenge their actions.
According to him, the common excuse that Ghanaians lack the capacity to manage big businesses is false. Instead, he alleged that political leaders often channel their resources into acquiring shares in foreign companies while neglecting local enterprises.
He stressed that if Sam George’s fight against Multichoice is truly in the national interest, then his efforts would be better spent upgrading GTV and supporting local media to compete effectively on the international stage.
