The Minister for Communication, Technology, Digital and Innovation, Hon. Samuel George Nartey, has reaffirmed the government’s ultimatum to MultiChoice Ghana, operators of DSTV, demanding a 30% reduction in service charges or risk having their broadcasting license suspended.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series held at the Presidency, the Minister revealed that he received a formal nine-page response from MultiChoice on July 21, rejecting the Ministry’s directive to reduce prices.
“They argued that the Ghanaian cedi had depreciated by 240% over the past eight years, and therefore any recent appreciation was, in their words, ‘a fluke’ and not sustainable,” Hon. Nartey disclosed.
In a firm rebuttal, the Minister stated that such reasoning was unacceptable and showed disregard for the Ghanaian consumer.
“My fidelity is to the Ghanaian people. I cannot, as Minister, continue to watch what can best be described as plain stealing. Ghanaians have been fleeced and exploited for far too long,” he said.
The Minister further revealed that on Monday, July 29, he formally directed the National Communications Authority (NCA) to suspend DSTV’s broadcasting license effective August 7, 2025, if the company fails to comply with the pricing directive.
“I gave them comparisons from seven different markets where DSTV operates. The same premium bouquet which costs the Ghanaian consumer the equivalent of $83 is sold to Nigerian consumers at $29. How can this price disparity be justified?”
Hon. Nartey also pointed out the inconsistency in MultiChoice’s currency argument, stating that during the same period in which the cedi supposedly depreciated by 240%, the Nigerian naira depreciated by 409%, yet Nigerians enjoy far lower subscription fees.
“Enough of the mistreatment of the Ghanaian consumer. They either comply with the directive or we will suspend their license by August 7. We are not begging; we are demanding fairness.”
The ultimatum has sparked public debate on consumer rights, regional price discrimination, and regulatory oversight within Ghana’s digital and pay-TV landscape.
