The Ghanaian government has given satellite TV provider DStv a deadline to reduce its subscription rates by Thursday or risk having its broadcasting licence suspended.
Minister of Communications, Samuel George, announced that he has instructed the National Communications Authority (NCA) to begin the process of suspending MultiChoice Ghana’s licence if the company does not meet regulatory demands for a price reduction.
“I’ve directed the NCA to act. If DStv fails to comply by August 7, their broadcasting licence will be revoked,” George stated.
He criticised the company for raising its prices by 15% in April, despite the cedi’s appreciation, calling the increase unjustifiable. The minister also condemned DStv’s refusal to accept a government proposal to cut subscription fees by 30%.
George dismissed the company’s explanation that long-term currency depreciation reportedly 200% over eight years justified the hike, saying it failed to reflect the current economic environment.
“My loyalty is to the Ghanaian people. They’ve been exploited for too long, and it’s time to stop it,” he added.
In a statement on Sunday, MultiChoice Ghana, part of South Africa’s MultiChoice Group, rejected the government’s request, calling it “untenable” under existing economic pressures and warning that enforced price cuts could lead to job losses and reduced service quality.
Managing Director Alex Okyere said the company had submitted alternative proposals to the ministry and the NCA.
However, George rejected these suggestions on X (formerly Twitter), questioning why MultiChoice complied with a Nigerian court ruling to suspend price increases but declined to do the same in Ghana.
He also criticised the company’s offer to maintain current prices while withholding revenue remittances to its headquarters, calling the idea unreasonable.
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