The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Honourable Samuel Nartey George has announced plans for a major crackdown on illegal streaming devices and content piracy.
Speaking at a joint press conference with MultiChoice Ghana, the Ningo-Prampram MP explained that the National Communications Authority (NCA) and the Cyber Security Authority assessed the proposed anti-piracy measures and considered them technically viable.
“Technically we’re good to go but we just want to make sure that we’re legally good. So, let me get the Attorney General’s clearance so that I can proceed safely.”
Honourable Samuel Nartey George
Honourable George indicated that the Ministry has made significant progress in addressing the use of“ghost boxes” thus, devices associated with unauthorised access to paid television content. The proposed enforcement measures are intended to curb piracy, including through action against internet protocol addresses used for illegal streaming.
He cautioned, however, that enforcement must be accompanied by affordable legal alternatives. The Minister acknowledged that some consumers turn to unauthorised services because they struggle to afford subscription packages, making access and pricing important considerations in the government’s approach.
“If you’re going to make it a high risk enterprise for people to use pirated boxes, then you must make it a low entry access for everybody,” he explained, outlining the principle guiding discussions with MultiChoice’s parent company, Canal+.
According to Mr George, the Ministry has held extensive negotiations with the company, resulting in agreements intended to improve access to television content for Ghanaian households. He described the arrangements as tailored to the Ghanaian market.
The Minister also confirmed that the pricing committee established by the government is very active. Its mandate extends beyond subscription costs to include piracy, with relevant institutions such as National Security and Customs involved in the work.
He further indicated that any future price revisions would require engagement with the regulator before public announcement. This forms part of the effort to ensure consumer interests remain central to decisions affecting television services.
Communications Minister Reaffirms Commitment To Affordable DStv Subscriptions
Honourable Samuel Nartey George also described MultiChoice Ghana’s latest subscription reductions as a substantive change in pricing, insisting that the new rates are fixed prices rather than a temporary promotional offer.
Addressing the media at a joint press conference with MultiChoice Ghana, the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations explained that the government’s engagement with the company focused on making television content more affordable, particularly for households seeking access to football and other popular programming.
“These are not promotional prices. The pricing committee we established is still in operation and has not been dissolved.”
Honourable Samuel George Nartey
The Ningo-Prampram MP recalled that the previous price changes prompted questions about whether the reductions were temporary. He noted that the rates announced on October 1 the previous year has been unchanged for nearly 12 months, arguing that this demonstrates the durability of the earlier adjustment.
Mr George attributed the engagement with MultiChoice and Canal+ to the government’s objective of ensuring that Ghanaian consumers receive “better value” for their subscription payments. He expressed appreciation to the companies for working with the Ministry to develop the latest package structure.
Among the changes he highlighted was the reduction in the monthly cost of the Sports package, which offers the company’s football content. Honourable George noted that subscribers who previously paid about GH¢850 or GH¢875 for premium access would now be able to obtain the football package for GH¢250, representing savings of more than GH¢500 per month.
He also drew attention to the entry-level Starter package at GH¢50 monthly, which offers 90 channels, and the Select package at GH¢100 for more than 120 channels. These options, he explained, give households different ways to access content according to their budgets.
The Minister calculated that the Starter package costs less than GH¢2 per day, while the Sports package works out at approximately GH¢8 daily. He presented the figures as evidence that the new rates offer a more accessible route to paid television.
In addition, Mr George emphasised that the government’s engagement with the regulator and MultiChoice would continue beyond the latest announcement. The pricing committee remains responsible for examining subscription costs alongside piracy and other concerns affecting the television sector.
He also called for the institution to spell out the terms and conditions attached to offers, describing clear communication with customers as an important element of consumer protection.
The revised prices are scheduled to take effect on November 5, 2026, as the government continues to press for affordability and stronger consumer safeguards in the television market.
READ ALSO: Education Minister Pledges Trauma Support For Obuasi SHTS Victims
