ACCRA – Ghana’s Communications Minister, Samuel Nartey George, on Saturday issued a stern warning to satellite television provider DStv, stating the government could shut down operations if parent company MultiChoice does not engage in talks to lower subscription fees.
The dispute escalated hours after MultiChoice clarified that it had not agreed to any price cuts, despite the minister’s claims. The company emphasized its continued willingness to engage in dialogue but stressed that “no price reduction has been agreed upon.”
The standoff centers on the high cost of DStv packages in Ghana. The Premium bouquet is priced at around 550 Ghanaian cedis ($37) per month significantly higher than in neighboring Nigeria, where the same service costs roughly 3,300 naira ($2.60) following recent regulatory interventions. Consumers and lawmakers in Ghana argue the price disparity is unjustified given similar regional market conditions.
George, recently appointed Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, accused the South African pay-TV giant of “disrespecting Ghanaians” by failing to honor prior commitments to review subscription fees.
“Let me be clear, I have no intention to continue tolerating the disrespect to Ghanaians by DStv,” George wrote on social media platform X. “If MultiChoice is not interested … in discussing a reduction in prices as they had indicated to me, we would proceed to effect the shutdown tomorrow.”
The minister also noted that the National Communications Authority (NCA) would enforce regulatory action if the company does not return to negotiations, stressing that “no company is above the law.”
MultiChoice operates DStv services across Africa and has previously faced regulatory scrutiny over subscription fees in Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa. The company maintains that its pricing reflects currency fluctuations, high operating costs, and investment in local content production.
The outcome of the dispute could have far-reaching implications for Ghana’s broadcasting sector, where DStv continues to dominate despite the growing popularity of internet-based streaming services.