Price Standoff: DStv shutdown to proceed tomorrow

Minister for Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has warned that the government will proceed to shut down MultiChoice Ghana’s DStv operations if the company fails to engage in discussions on reducing subscription prices.

His comments follow MultiChoice Ghana’s rejection of suggestions that it has agreed to slash DStv subscription prices, even as the government moves forward with a newly established joint committee to decide on possible reductions.

In a statement on Friday, September 5, 2025, the pay-TV operator said while it remains committed to dialogue, no decision has been made on lowering fees.

The clarification follows comments earlier in the day by the Minister for Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, who announced that a five-member committee — comprising the ministry, regulator (NCA), MultiChoice Ghana, and MultiChoice Africa — had been set up to recommend a “suitable price reduction strategy” for DStv customers

Reacting to this in a post on Facebook on Friday, September 5, the minister insisted that MultiChoice had initially indicated its willingness to engage the ministry on pricing concerns and had requested a suspension of enforcement actions. However, he noted that if the company has now changed its position, the government will have no choice but to enforce regulatory measures.

“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,” Mr. George said.

He emphasised that no company is above the law, urging MultiChoice to return to the negotiation table if it is ready to discuss price reductions.

“Until then, there is nothing for us to meet over. The NCA would carry out enforcement,” he added.

Mr. George further stressed that while Ghana remains open to businesses, companies must respect the country’s laws and regulatory institutions.

The standoff between government and MultiChoice has escalated in recent weeks, with regulators earlier directing the enforcement of a statutory fine of GH¢10,000 per day against the company for failing to submit required pricing data under the Electronic Communications Act. The ministry also warned that DStv risked suspension of its licence if subscription fees were not reduced by September 6.