The Ghanaian government has issued a stern warning to satellite television service provider, DStv, over its rising subscription fees, threatening to suspend its broadcasting licence if the company fails to comply with regulatory directives.
Minister of Communications, Samuel George, announced that MultiChoice Ghana—the local operator of DStv—has until Thursday, August 7 to reduce its subscription rates or face immediate regulatory action. George said he has instructed the National Communications Authority (NCA) to begin suspension proceedings should the company fail to comply.
“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 stated.
He condemned the company’s recent 15% price hike in April, calling it unjustified given the recent appreciation of the Ghanaian cedi. He further accused DStv of ignoring the economic relief such exchange rate improvements should bring to consumers.
The standoff stems from DStv’s rejection of a government proposal to cut subscription prices by 30%. The company argued that its current pricing model reflects the cedi’s long-term depreciation—estimated at 200% over eight years. However, George dismissed this justification, saying it does not align with Ghana’s present economic conditions.
“My loyalty lies with the Ghanaian people. They have been overcharged for too long, and this must stop,” he emphasized.
In response, MultiChoice Ghana issued a statement calling the government’s demand “untenable” under the current economic climate. Managing Director Alex Okyere warned that forced price reductions could lead to job losses and diminished service quality. He added that alternative proposals had been submitted to both the Minister and the NCA.
However, George publicly rejected those proposals on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), questioning why MultiChoice complied with a Nigerian court order to suspend subscription hikes, yet refused to do so voluntarily in Ghana.
He also dismissed the company’s suggestion to maintain current pricing while withholding remittances to its parent company, calling the offer “illogical.”
The situation continues to generate public interest as the August 7 deadline approaches, with many Ghanaians awaiting whether the government will follow through on its threat or if DStv will reconsider its pricing structure.
