The Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has instructed the National Communications Authority (NCA) to suspend the broadcasting licence of MultiChoice-owned DSTV if it fails to reduce its subscription prices by August 7, 2025.
According to the Minister, this directive follows MultiChoice’s refusal to adjust its pricing in accordance with the recent appreciation of the Ghanaian cedi.
Mr George’s remarks come after a high-level meeting with DSTV officials on Friday, July 4, 2025, which aimed to negotiate a reduction in subscription costs.
This engagement was prompted by mounting public complaints regarding the affordability and fairness of DSTV’s pricing model.
In a detailed nine-page response to the Ministry, DSTV contended that the Cedi had depreciated by over 200% over the last eight years. They argued that the recent gains in the local currency were unsustainable, thus rendering the request for a price reduction insufficiently justified.
However, Mr George strongly disagreed, reiterating that the government would not tolerate price rigidity at the expense of the Ghanaian populace. “On 21st July this year, I received a nine-page letter from MultiChoice detailing why they were refusing to reduce their pricing.
“Their reasons included that the cedi had depreciated in the preceding eight years by 240%.
“They claimed that my request for a reduction based on the appreciation of the Cedi was unfounded because, in their words, the appreciation of the Ghanaian cedi over the last six months has been a fluke which could not be sustainable.
“As Minister, my fidelity is to the Ghanaian people. I have had to act in their interest. I believe that the Ghanaian people have been fleeced and exploited for too long.
“I wrote back to the NCA on Monday, directing them to suspend the broadcasting licence of DSTV effective 7th August 2025 if they fail to effect a reduction in their bundle prices.
“I cannot, as Minister serving the Ghanaian people, continue to watch what can best be described as plain stealing happening to the Ghanaian people.”
Mr George made these comments during a ministerial briefing on Friday, August 1, where he updated the public on key developments in the digital and communications sector for the second quarter of the year.
The standoff occurs amid growing public outrage over DSTV’s charges, with many citizens calling for urgent regulatory intervention to ensure affordable access to satellite television services.
