In a significant move against pay-TV piracy, the Ghanaian government has redefined its strategy, transitioning from a mere copyright issue to one of national economic security. Following a statement from the National Communications Authority (NCA) on December 31, 2025, the government is strengthening its efforts to combat illegal streaming by incorporating the Cybersecurity Authority into a specialised Working Group. This initiative aims to dismantle the digital networks that facilitate piracy, recover lost tax revenue, and safeguard a creative sector currently losing substantial revenue to illicit practices.
The NCA’s announcement comes in the wake of a report highlighting MultiChoice Ghana’s pricing stabilisation. The regulator has confirmed that the enhanced value packages introduced on October 1, 2025, have delivered positive results, resulting in a notable increase in legal subscriptions. This indicates that high prices have been a key factor driving customers toward illegal IPTV services.
This crackdown is the result of a prolonged standoff between the Ghanaian government and MultiChoice Africa. In early 2024 and again in April 2025, MultiChoice raised its prices significantly, citing inflation and currency fluctuations. As a result, Premium package rates soared to US$82.32, triggering public outrage and a strong response from the Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George.
Tensions peaked in August 2025 when Sam George ordered the NCA to prepare for license suspensions and imposed daily fines of US$951.65 for failing to disclose pricing information. A resolution was reached on October 1, 2025, leading to an unprecedented value upgrade for subscribers:
- Paddy users, previously paying US$5.61, received Access content worth US$9.42.
- Family users, paying US$18.08, were upgraded to Compact content valued at US$36.16.
- Compact Plus users, paying US$54.24, moved to Premium content worth US$82.32.
The reception to these changes has been mixed, reflecting the complex economic situations faced by Ghanaian households. For some, the value upgrades offer much-needed relief. “I used to pay for Family but missed the big Premier League games,” says Yoofi Forson, a shop owner from Cape Coast. “Now I have Compact content at my old price. It feels like the government has finally gotten something back from the big corporations.”
Conversely, others express dissatisfaction, perceiving the “value upgrade” as a mere diversion from the need for actual price reductions. A widely shared analogy on social media compared this situation to a street vendor: “It’s like they kept the Waakye price the same but just gave us more Shito. We wanted a lower price because our budgets are tight.” This sentiment resonates with those who have already switched to illegal streaming options. “I don’t care about the upgrades,” states Abena, a university student.
Despite recent upgrades, significant pricing disparities persist between Ghana’s rates and those of its regional neighbours. Hon. Sam George highlighted that, before the intervention, the price of a Premium package in Ghana was approximately US$83, while it was just US$29 in Nigeria. This gap has spurred a thriving black market for smuggled Nigerian decoders, which Hon. Sam George has vowed to tackle aggressively.
Ghana’s firm approach reflects a broader movement across West Africa aiming to combat digital content theft. Competitors such as France’s Groupe Canal+, which recently acquired a controlling interest in MultiChoice, are closely monitoring these developments. However, illegal Android TV boxes pose a significant threat to legitimate operators.
In response, a specialised multi-agency Working Group has been created to craft a synchronised national strategy. Led by the Ministry, the group also includes representatives from the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority and other stakeholders.
