In a high-stakes showdown unfolding in Accra, MultiChoice Ghana has finally signalled readiness to revisit its DStv subscription fees—after coming under intense scrutiny from the Communications Ministry, led by Samuel Nartey George.
Mr. George initially demanded a sweeping 30 percent reduction in subscription rates, pointing to the Ghanaian cedi’s dramatic 40 percent appreciation against the U.S. dollar this year, and noting how Ghanaians pay around US$83 monthly for DStv Premium, while their Nigerian counterparts pay only US$29 for the same package
. Despite MultiChoice’s rebuttal—describing the proposed cuts as “not tenable” and warning that slashing prices could undermine service standards and cost jobs
—the government remained firm. An ultimatum was issued: implement the reduction by August 7 or face licence suspension
As the deadline neared, tensions escalated. The National Communications Authority (NCA) moved to enforce GH¢10,000 daily fines for failure to submit required pricing data, with total penalties exceeding GH¢150,000—and prepared to initiate licence-suspension proceedings
.
On September 5, MultiChoice Ghana clarified its position: although it remains committed to ongoing talks through a newly convened five-member committee involving the Ministry, NCA, and representatives from both the Ghanaian and African leadership of MultiChoice, no formal agreement has been reached to lower subscription fees
. The Minister, however, declared victory of a sort—insisting that the company now “accepts there will be a reduction,” with only the extent of the cut remaining for discussion. This committee, chaired by the minister, is expected to deliver its recommendation within 14 days
Thus, while fears of an abrupt shutdown have receded for the moment, subscribers remain on edge. Ghanaian viewers—and indeed the whole continent—awaits the committee’s verdict: will this translate into meaningful relief for wallets, or yet another delay in the pay‑TV price debate?
