According to industry reports, the Ghanaian government has mandated satellite broadcaster DStv to reduce subscription prices by Thursday or risk having its broadcasting license suspended.
Communications Minister Samuel Nartey George announced that he had instructed the National Communications Authority (NCA) to initiate suspension procedures against MultiChoice Ghana, the local operator of DStv, if they do not meet the regulatory demand for a price reduction by August 7.
“I have directed the NCA to act promptly. If DStv does not comply by August 7, their broadcasting license will be at risk of suspension,” George stated.
The issue arose following DStv’s refusal to accept a government proposal for a 30% decrease in subscription fees. George criticised the company for referencing the cedi’s significant depreciation—over 200% in eight years—as a reason for their high prices, describing this justification as inadequate in light of Ghanaians’ economic difficulties.
“My commitment is to the Ghanaian people. They have suffered from unfair pricing for years, and it is time to rectify this,” George emphasised.
In response, MultiChoice Ghana, part of South Africa’s MultiChoice Group, labelled the government’s demands as “unviable.” They pointed to the challenging economic climate and the necessity to uphold quality service as reasons for their stance. Managing Director Alex Okyere cautioned that enforced price reductions could jeopardise jobs and limit customers’ options, noting that the company had offered alternative solutions to both the minister and the NCA.
On the social media platform X, George dismissed these alternatives. He raised concerns about why MultiChoice complied with a court order to freeze price increases in Nigeria but has not done the same in Ghana. DStv had proposed keeping current pricing while suspending revenue transfers to its headquarters, an offer that George dismissed as illogical.
