DStv saga: Apply Intelligence on policy, not PR – Cudjoe to Sam George

President of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, has called on Minister for Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, to apply his intelligence more wisely in policy-making, especially in matters involving private sector regulation.

Reacting to the Minister’s high-profile involvement in the recent negotiations with MultiChoice Ghana over DStv pricing in an interview on Citi FM’s The Big Issue on Saturday, October 4, Cudjoe described the approach as poorly thought-out and unnecessary.

While acknowledging the Minister’s intelligence, he urged him to focus that capacity on crafting sound, long-term policy rather than engaging in what he called “a needless fight.”

“My good brother, I want to advise him—look, you are a very intelligent man. Your IQ is quite higher than most people, but please apply it prudently. Let it drive good policy for the country and for the industry,” Cudjoe stated.

He criticised the Minister for taking on a role he believes should have been left to technocrats, suggesting that the matter did not warrant direct political involvement. According to him, the situation resembled “a comedy of errors,” with little policy gain for all the effort.

“A desk officer should be handling this matter. The Minister should be focused on the broader policy question: if a company isn’t offering value, how do we increase competition rather than engage in showdowns?” he said.

Cudjoe’s comments come in the wake of confusion surrounding the government’s announcement of a new DStv value upgrade, which was briefly contradicted by information on MultiChoice Ghana’s website. The company has since apologised and confirmed its support for the government’s initiative.

Nonetheless, Cudjoe argues that the Minister’s public posture throughout the process reflected misplaced priorities, warning that intelligence alone is not enough without strategic and prudent application in governance.

citinews