The presidency is saving approximately GH₵120,000 every month following President John Dramani Mahama’s directive to cancel all satellite television subscriptions at the Jubilee House, according to Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu.
The move, aimed at cutting unnecessary government spending, means no office at the seat of government will maintain subscriptions to DStv or any other paid satellite TV service. The directive forms part of a broader effort by the Mahama administration to review and reduce operational costs inherited from the previous government.
Speaking in an interview with the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), Mr. Kwakye Ofosu revealed that the expense came to light during a routine audit of the presidency’s expenditures.
“When we assumed office at the Jubilee House, we discovered several satellite TV subscriptions in addition to access to local channels. Upon reviewing the costs, we found that nearly GH₵120,000 was being spent monthly on these services. President Mahama has since ordered all subscriptions to be cancelled,” he stated.
Mr. Kwakye Ofosu questioned the justification for such a high expenditure on television services, particularly when smaller sums could be used to address critical community needs.
“There are communities where something as simple as a GH₵1,000 water pump stands between residents and access to clean water. Yet we were spending over a hundred thousand cedis just on watching TV,” he noted.
The decision has been welcomed by sections of the public advocating for more prudent use of public funds.
