Ghana to resume digital TV migration project

Monday, March 9th, 2015
Ministry of Communications logo

Ghana’s Digital TV Project

ACCRA — Ghana’s Ministry of Communications has issued the following statement:

“THE GHANA DIGITAL TERRESTRIAL TELEVISION (DTT) PROJECT

The Commercial Division of the High Court today, Monday 9th March 2015, dismissed the interlocutory injunction filed by Startimes DTV Ghana Company Ltd to prevent the Ministry of Communications (MoC) from implementing its DTT roadmap following the termination of the contract on 14th January 2014.

The dismissal of the interlocutory injunction opens the way for the MoC to continue with its robust and cost effective implementation roadmap aimed at ensuring that a DTT network solution is deployed in the country.

Following the termination of the Startimes contract, the Ministry of Communications commenced the process for the selection of a new vendor through an expression of interest published in the Daily graphic of 29th January 2015.

Seventeen (17) companies, made up of local and international, responded to the advertisement and duly submitted their Expression of Interest by the deadline.

The process was however curtailed as a result of the interlocutory injunction filed by Startimes on February 3, 2015.

This ruling by the Court today dissolves a major stumbling block and ensures uninhibited implementation of our digital migration process.

Accordingly the Ministry is working with all stakeholders including the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) and the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) to deploy a robust, cost effective and energy efficient solution that meets the broadcasting aspirations of all Ghanaians.

Signed:

DR. EDWARD K. OMANE BOAMAH

Minister for Communications”

Speaking to journalists (Source: Graphic Online) after the decision, Deputy Minister of Communication, Mr Ato Sarpong said that Accra and Kumasi would migrate to DTT by June 17, 2015 while other parts of the country would be connected by December 2015.