The ongoing feud between the Minister of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, and the MultiChoice Group over the reduction in DSTV service prices appears to have taken another turn, with no end in sight.

This GhanaWeb article chronicles what has happened so far between the two parties and what either parties have said.

We’ve not agreed on DStv price reduction - MultiChoice claps back at Sam George

DSTV price reduction due to cedi appreciation

In June 2025, MultiChoice Group announced a reduction in the prices of its packages, taking immediate effect.

The company said the move was in response to the appreciation of the Ghana cedi and the positive performance of the economy.

It also slashed the price of its DStv decoder from GH¢169 to GH¢89, a savings of GH¢80.

Calls for price reduction

In July 2025, Sam George proposed a 30% reduction in DStv subscription fees in response to the performance of the Ghana cedi, following public concerns over the high subscription fees.

MultiChoice had earlier in the year responded to the appreciation of the cedi by introducing promotional offers that provided double value for its packages.

However, customers said it did not correspond with the cedi's gains, seeking a price reduction instead.

On the back of that, Sam George told MultiChoice to respond formally with a proposal by July 21, 2025, reflecting the expected price reduction.

Possible suspension

Following the minister’s proposal, he hinted at taking drastic measures against the company, stating that DStv’s broadcasting license would be suspended if it fails to reduce its prices by August 7, 2025.

He described DStv’s current subscription pricing as exploitative and referred to it as “plain stealing” from the Ghanaian public.

Speaking at the Government Accountability Series in Accra on Friday, August 1, 2025, the minister explained that his decision followed the receipt of a nine-page document from DStv, justifying its refusal to reduce prices despite the recent strengthening of the Ghana cedi.

The minister said that the company described the cedi appreciation as a ‘fluke.’

DSTV responds to possible suspension

In response, MultiChoice, through its Managing Director, Alex Okyere, said that reducing DStv subscription fees is not tenable under the current economic conditions.

The company also dismissed claims that it referred to the recent appreciation of the cedi as a "fluke," contrary to assertions made by the minister during the Government Accountability Series on Friday, August 1, 2025.

Sam George’s rebuttal

Following the company’s response, the minister said that MultiChoice’s response reinforced his position that the company does not take Ghanaians seriously, stating that his advocacy for price reduction is aimed at ensuring fair pricing for consumers.

“I have read the release by DStv Ghana and taken full consideration that they vindicate my earlier position that they simply do not take the Ghanaian people serious enough.

“They proposed that I allow them to maintain the collection of the exorbitant bouquet prices as they stand but order them not to send the revenue to their headquarters. In all honesty, that offer lacks any logic in my estimation. The essence of my action is to see Ghanaians pay a fair price for the services offered,” part of his post on X read.

GH¢10,000 daily fine on DStv

The government imposed a daily fine of GH¢10,000 on MultiChoice for failing to submit critical pricing information requested under the Electronic Communications Act (ECA), despite being granted an extension until August 11, 2025.

The company still failed to meet the deadline.

DStv transmissions could go off-air by September 6

In another turn, the minister warned that all transmissions of DStv are likely to go off-air by September 6, 2025, if MultiChoice fails to comply with a key regulatory order.

The company was to provide its pricing data — including a detailed breakdown of bouquet prices, applicable taxes, and comparisons with at least six other African countries — to engage meaningfully on reducing subscription fees for Ghanaian consumers.

DStv’s debt to NCA

On September 3, 2025, the minister disclosed that MultiChoice Ghana, operators of DStv, had failed to comply with requests from the National Communications Authority (NCA) to submit critical pricing data as required under the Electronic Communications Act (ECA).

As a result, the company now owes the NCA almost GH¢170,000, he said.

Speaking at the Digital Africa Summit in Accra on September 3, 2025, Samuel Nartey George said, “Fifteen or sixteen days ago, I met with MultiChoice and imposed a GH¢10,000 daily fine on them. So, now, they owe us between GH¢150,000 and GH¢170,000. The NCA will collect the money.”

Possible price drop

On September 5, 2025, Sam George again announced that a stakeholder committee will finalise a price reduction structure for MultiChoice Ghana’s DStv bouquets within 14 days - by September 21, 2025.

He disclosed that MultiChoice Ghana, facing a GH¢10,000 daily fine since August 14, 2025, and a 30-day suspension notice effective August 7, 2025, for non-compliance with pricing concerns, had now agreed to address the issue.

“They have finally accepted that there will be a reduction. Now, they want us to discuss the level of reduction,” Sam George stated.

He announced that while DStv had requested 30 days for the engagement, he has mandated a 14-day period, inclusive of weekends, to conclude discussions.

MultiChoice denies agreeing to price drop

But in a dramatic turn, MultiChoice Group denied agreeing to a price reduction of DStv services in Ghana, contrary to the announcement made by the sector minister.

Although MultiChoice acknowledged that it was engaging the minister in efforts to find an amicable solution to the current impasse, it denied the his claim that it had agreed to reduce the prices of DStv services in Ghana.

“We have noted the statement made by the Minister for Communications Technology and Innovation, Hon Samuel Nartey George.

“We continue to engage with the minister in a bid to find an amicable solution that is beneficial for all parties involved but does not jeopardise the viability of the DStv service,” parts of the statement read.

The statement concluded; “We will fully participate in the established Working Committee. However, we wish to clarify that MultiChoice Group has not agreed to a price reduction.”

Sam George responds

Infuriated by the statement from MultiChoice claiming to have not aggreed to slash prices, the minister said that he had had enough of MultiChoice over its actions on the government’s demand for a reduction in the prices of DStv in Ghana.

He indicated that the actions of the broadcaster were disrespectful, insisting that there was actually a discussion on the reduction of prices contrary to the statement issued by MultiChoice.

“Let me be clear, I have no intention to continue tolerating the disrespect to Ghanaians by DStv. If MultiChoice is not interested, as they claim in their last statement, in discussing a reduction in prices as they had indicated to me, we would proceed to effect the shutdown tomorrow as indicated.

“DStv indicated their willingness to engage the Ministry on its concerns on pricing and prayed us to stay our enforcement action. If they have changed their position, then we simply would enforce the regulatory action,” the minister wrote.

'I will not tolerate such disrespect' - Sam George warns MultiChoice

Imminent shut down

MultiChoice now faces imminent shutdown after failing to slash prices by the September 6, 2025, deadline.

What happens next? GhanaWeb will keep readers posted on updates on this matter that has caught the attention of the entire nation.

MAG/AE

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