Ghana’s Communications Minister, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, issued a stern warning on Monday, December 11, indicating that television signals to homes and offices across the country may face disruptions next year if operators fail to settle payments for the Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) platform.
Minister Ursula Owusu-Ekuful cited the increasing financial burden on the government to sustain the DTT platform and emphasized the need for broadcasters to contribute to its operational costs.
In response to the minister’s caution, Andrew Danso-Aninkora Sunkwa-Mills, the President of the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA), expressed his disappointment, labeling the situation as ‘unfortunate.’
However, Deputy Ranking Member on Parliament’s Communications Committee, Samuel Nartey George, has come forward to support the government’s position.
He stressed that TV stations utilizing the DTT platform must pay for its usage, considering the substantial costs incurred by the state in operating the platform.
While acknowledging that the initial $10,000 charge set by the Communications Minister might be on the high side, Mr. Nartey George called for a reconsideration of the fee.
He urged a more collaborative approach between GIBA and the Communications Ministry, emphasizing the mutual dependence of both entities for effective operation within the broadcasting space.
Stakeholders in Ghana’s broadcasting sector are keeping a tight eye on the situation as the deadline draws near in the hopes that a solution will be found to avoid any potential disruptions to television signals throughout the country.