The Ghanaian government has delivered a stern warning to satellite TV provider DStv, demanding a reduction in subscription fees by Thursday or risk having its broadcasting licence revoked.
According to the Minister of Communications, Samuel George, the National Communications Authority (NCA) has been instructed to begin steps toward suspending the broadcast licence of MultiChoice Ghana, DStv’s local operator, if the company fails to meet expectations regarding a price adjustment.
“I have directed the NCA to act swiftly.
“If by the 7th of August DStv has not complied, their broadcasting licence will be suspended,” George said.
He accused the broadcaster of inflating its charges despite recent improvements in the exchange rate, describing the 15% price increase imposed in April as unwarranted given the Ghanaian cedi’s recent gains.
The conflict comes after MultiChoice Ghana turned down the government’s request for a 30% cut in subscription rates.
George dismissed the company’s justification — referencing the 200% fall in the cedi’s value over the past eight years — arguing it did not reflect Ghana’s present economic situation.
“My fidelity lies with the Ghanaian people.
“They have been cheated for years, and it is time we put an end to that,” George said.
In a statement released Sunday, MultiChoice Ghana — a division of South Africa’s MultiChoice Group — rejected the proposed price reduction, calling it “not tenable” under the current economic climate and warning it could compromise service quality.
Managing Director Alex Okyere stated that enforcing such price slashes might lead to job losses and restrict viewer options. He added that the company had submitted alternative suggestions to both the minister and the NCA.
George responded via X (formerly Twitter), turning down the company’s proposal and questioning why MultiChoice followed a court ruling to freeze prices in Nigeria but was unwilling to make similar concessions in Ghana.
The company had offered to maintain the current rates while suspending funds transfers to its headquarters, a suggestion George criticized as unreasonable.
