Ghana’s government has issued a stern ultimatum to satellite broadcaster DStv, demanding a reduction in subscription prices by August 7, 2025, or face suspension of its broadcasting licence.
The directive, announced by Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, follows mounting public frustration over DStv’s pricing model and its refusal to comply with a proposed 30% price cut.
The standoff intensified after a high-level meeting on July 4, 2025, where George instructed MultiChoice Ghana, the local operator of DStv, to lower prices in response to the Ghanaian cedi’s recent appreciation.
The cedi, which has appreciated by 40% against the U.S. dollar in 2025, is now one of the world’s best-performing currencies, according to Bloomberg data.
George argued that DStv’s justification for high prices—citing a 200% cedi depreciation over eight years—is outdated given the current economic climate.
He further highlighted pricing disparities, noting that DStv’s premium bouquet costs $83 in Ghana compared to $29 for identical content in Nigeria.
“I have directed the National Communications Authority (NCA) to act swiftly. If by August 7, DStv has not complied, their broadcasting licence will be suspended,” George declared during a ministerial briefing on August 1, 2025.
He accused MultiChoice of exploiting Ghanaians, stating, “I cannot, as minister, continue to watch what can best be described as plain stealing happening to the Ghanaian people.”
MultiChoice Ghana, a subsidiary of South Africa’s MultiChoice Group, rejected the 30% price cut as “not tenable” in a statement issued on August 3, 2025.
Managing Director Alex Okyere cited economic challenges and the need to maintain service quality, warning that forced price reductions could lead to job losses and reduced customer choice.
The company proposed maintaining current prices while halting revenue remittances to its headquarters.
Ghanaians have long complained about DStv’s high subscription fees, with a recent price increase from GHS 680 to GHS 750 for premium users sparking outrage in 2024.
One user remarked in 2023, “Dstv compact plus was increased to 325gh… Why is Dstv so expensive in Ghana?”The dispute comes amid broader economic improvements in Ghana, the world’s second-largest cocoa producer, which recently raised cocoa farmgate prices by over 4% for the 2025/26 season.
MultiChoice Ghana, which has operated in the country for over three decades, expressed regret over the minister’s stance, emphasizing its commitment to its workforce, including employees, dealers, and installers.
The company urged further dialogue to resolve the issue amicably, but with the August 7 deadline looming, the outcome remains uncertain.
