Sam George Issues September 6 Ultimatum to MultiChoice Ghana Over DStv Subscription Fees
The Minister of Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has given MultiChoice Ghana, the operators of DStv, until September 6, 2025, to reduce subscription fees by 30% or face a complete shutdown of its operations in the country.
The ultimatum was issued on the sidelines of the Digital Africa Summit in Accra, where the minister reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring fair pricing for Ghanaian consumers.
“They have until September 6. If there is no resolution, we will shut down the operations of MultiChoice. No company or corporation is more powerful than the collective interest of the Ghanaian people,” Sam George declared, emphasizing that the government will not tolerate what he describes as exploitative pricing by the pay-TV provider.
The ongoing dispute stems from the minister’s directive for MultiChoice to cut subscription fees by 30%, citing the recent appreciation of the Ghanaian cedi against major currencies.
However, MultiChoice has resisted, arguing that the proposed reduction is “not tenable” due to economic challenges and operational costs. In a statement released on August 3, 2025, signed by Managing Director Alex Okyere, the company expressed regret over the minister’s stance, noting ongoing efforts to engage constructively with the National Communications Authority (NCA) and proposing an alternative solution that was rejected by the minister.
The NCA, acting on Sam George’s instructions, issued a 30-day suspension notice on August 7, 2025, under Section 13 of the Electronic Communications Act, after MultiChoice failed to comply with the initial price reduction deadline. Additionally, a daily fine of GH¢10,000 was imposed starting August 15 for the company’s failure to submit critical pricing data, with accumulated penalties now totaling approximately GH¢150,000 as of September 3, 2025.
“On August 7, the NCA issued a 30-day notice to suspend the license of MultiChoice Ghana Limited because they failed to cut their price by 30%. Some 15 days ago, I met with them and imposed a GH¢10,000 daily fine. So, now they owe us about GH¢150,000, which the NCA will collect,” the minister stated.
Sam George also highlighted pricing disparities, noting that Ghanaians pay significantly more for DStv subscriptions compared to other African countries like Nigeria, where the Premium bouquet costs $29 compared to $83 in Ghana. He described this as “plain stealing” and vowed to protect Ghanaian consumers from exploitation.
A crucial meeting between the government and MultiChoice is scheduled for September 4, 2025, to finalize discussions.
However, the minister has warned that failure to reach an agreement by the September 6 deadline will result in the suspension of MultiChoice’s license and a potential shutdown of its operations.
The standoff has sparked public debate, with consumer advocacy groups like CUTS International calling for stronger regulations to address monopolistic practices in Ghana’s pay-TV market. Meanwhile, posts on X reflect public frustration, with some users citing the high cost of DStv subscriptions in Ghana compared to Nigeria and urging the government to push for alternatives or local competition.
As the deadline looms, all eyes are on MultiChoice Ghana’s next move. The outcome of this dispute could reshape the pay-TV landscape in Ghana and set a precedent for regulatory oversight of international service providers.
