Ghana’s Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Hon Samuel Nartey George, has issued a stern ultimatum to MultiChoice Ghana, operators of DStv, threatening to suspend the company’s broadcasting license by August 7, 2025, if it fails to significantly reduce its subscription fees.
The Minister, speaking during the Government Accountability Series on Friday, August 1, described the company’s pricing model as unfair, exploitative, and unjustified when compared to what subscribers pay in other African countries for the same content.
“I wrote back to the NCA on Monday and directed the NCA in that letter to suspend the broadcasting license of DStv effective August 7, 2025, if they fail to effect a reduction in their bundle pricing”.
Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Hon Samuel Nartey George
The Minister did not mince words about what he termed as deliberate corporate injustice against Ghanaian consumers. “I cannot, as Minister serving the Ghanaian people, continue to watch what can best be described as plain stealing happening to the Ghanaian people,” he declared.
Citing data from across the continent, Hon. Sam George argued that MultiChoice has no reasonable justification for charging Ghanaian customers significantly more for the same bouquet of services offered at lower rates in other countries.
“In my letter to them, I gave them scenarios from seven markets that DStv is operating in. The same content in the Premium bouquet that is offered to Ghanaians for $83 equivalent is offered to Nigerians for $29 equivalent. How can anyone explain this price disparity to me?”
Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Hon Samuel Nartey George
The controversy stems from the Communications Ministry’s earlier demand for MultiChoice to reduce DStv subscription rates in Ghana by 30%, given the Ghanaian cedi’s recent appreciation and improvements in the country’s macroeconomic outlook.
According to the Minister, his Ministry wrote to the company in early July, requesting a response by July 21, 2025; however, MultiChoice responded with a detailed nine-page letter, rejecting the request and arguing that economic realities did not support a price reduction.
According to the company, the cedi’s performance over the past six months does not constitute a stable enough trend to justify a pricing revision. In their response, MultiChoice maintained that “the appreciation of the Ghanaian cedi over the last six months has been a fluke which could not be sustainable.”
Furthermore, the company cited the cedi’s 240% depreciation over the past eight years as a primary reason why its pricing structure could not be altered arbitrarily.
But the Communications Minister was unimpressed by the company’s explanation, asserting that DSTV’s reasons were unjustifiable.
“As a Minister, my fidelity is to the Ghanaian people. I will have to act in the interest of the Ghanaian people, and I believe that the Ghanaian people have been fleeced and exploited for too long.”
Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Hon Samuel Nartey George
He insisted that economic improvements in Ghana, including the cedi’s recovery, inflation reduction, and general macroeconomic stability, warrant a fair adjustment in DStv’s pricing policy.
The latest development reflects broader tensions between the government and multinational service providers operating in the Ghanaian market. Hon. Sam George’s firm stance signals the administration’s readiness to protect consumer rights and challenge what it views as exploitative market practices.
“Enough of the mistreatment of the Ghanaian consumer. They either comply with the reduction, or we’ll suspend their broadcasting license by August 7, 2025. I have a responsibility to act, and I shall act in the best interest of the Ghanaian consumer.”
Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Hon Samuel Nartey George
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