The Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has issued a stern ultimatum to MultiChoice Ghana to slash DStv subscription prices by 30% or face the suspension of the broadcaster’s licence.
In early July 2025, George convened a high-level meeting with a delegation from MultiChoice Ghana, urging the company to lower DStv prices by 30%.
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He emphasised that the Ghanaian cedi had appreciated by approximately 30% over the previous five months, yet subscription fees remained unchanged—despite widespread public frustration and outdated content offerings.
The Minister insisted that promotional deals weren’t enough; consumers want a permanent reduction in prices. He requested a formal response by July 21, 2025, to facilitate further discussions.
MultiChoice Ghana responded in July, rejecting the proposed cut and labelling it “not tenable.”
The company presented an alternative: maintain current subscription fees while halting revenue remittances to its South African headquarters.
Sam George dismissed this counteroffer as lacking logic and inadequate, reaffirming that his actions were driven by fairness and consumer protection.
On August 1, 2025, at a Government Accountability Series press conference in Accra, Sam George escalated the tone.
He directed the National Communications Authority (NCA) to begin proceedings to suspend MultiChoice’s operating licence if the 30% price cut was not in place by August 7, 2025.
He decried the pricing disparity, citing that Ghanaian consumers were paying the equivalent of US $83 for a premium DStv bouquet—while Nigerian subscribers paid just US $29 for identical content. “It’s plain stealing,” he declared.
As the September 6, 2025, approaches, Sam George has once again reaffirmed the government’s stand to ensure that MultiChoice Ghana review its prices down for Ghanaian consumers in line with improved economic conditions in the country.
Speaking at Digital Africa Summit programme held in Accra, he revealed that the government will meet MultiChoice tomorrow, Thursday, September 4, 2025, to reach a decision.
“They have up to the 6th of September, if by the time, there is no resolution, we will shut down the operations of MultiChoice. No company, no corporate entity is more powerful than the collective interest of the Ghanaian people,” he warned.
George also disclosed that the company also owes the National Communications Authority (NCA) for failing to submit critical pricing data requested under the Electronic Communications Act (ECA).
“15 or 16 days ago, I met with MultiChoice and imposed a GH¢10,000 daily fine on them. So now, they owe us 150,000 to 170,000 cedis. The NCA will collect the money,” he stated.
He revealed that all efforts to get MultiChoice to review its prices down by 30 percent have failed, as the company remains adamant.
“I have engaged them and asked them to do a 30 percent reduction in line with improved economic conditions in the country, they have failed to comply,” he noted.
