The Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, has criticised some Ghanaians for subscribing to Nigerian DStv services due to their cheaper rates.

Labeling these individuals as unpatriotic, he questioned how the government can generate revenue for developmental projects if subscription fees are flowing to the Nigerian government instead.

Sam George suggested that Ghanaians who remain indifferent to this practice should face revocation of their citizenship.

Speaking at a press conference in Accra on Monday, September 29, 2025, the minister was clear that those using Nigerian set-top boxes were denying Ghanaian shareholders and MultiChoice Ghana vital revenue.

He said, "If you are a Ghanaian and you love this country, you would love to see the country progress...we must never be afraid or run away from paying taxes as responsible citizens. Our concern must be what our government uses our taxes to do and that is why we have the opportunity every four years to change the government if we think they are not managing our taxes very well."

"If you are a Ghanaian and you use the ghost boxes from Nigeria, you do two things. You deprive the Ghanaian shareholders and MultiChoice of revenue because you are paying to the Nigerian owners of Multichoice Nigeria. But more importantly, you deprive your own homeland of tax revenue...you don't expect the Nigerian government to fix your road or connect water or electricity to your household," he added.

Sam George further said, "You don't expect the Nigerian government to come and give you healthcare. You expect the John Mahama government to do that for you. You cannot work for Coca Cola and at the end of the month, go to Pepsi for your salary..."

He revealed that for every legitimate DStv box in Ghana, authorities have deactivated five Nigerian ghost boxes so far.

The minister said a committee has been established to collaborate with MultiChoice to strengthen enforcement, crack down on ghost boxes, and block their operation.



SA/MA

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