DSTV Risks Suspension by August 7 for Failing to Align Prices with Regulations
Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has issued a directive to the country’s telecoms regulator to suspend the broadcasting licence of Multichoice Ghana, operators of DSTV, if the pay-TV provider fails to adjust its subscription prices in line with government expectations by Wednesday, August 7.
Speaking during the Government Accountability Series on Friday, August 1, Mr George disclosed that he had formally instructed the National Communications Authority (NCA) to begin the process of revoking DSTV’s licence should the company continue to defy regulatory guidance on pricing.
“I have directed the NCA to act swiftly. If by the 7th of August DSTV has not complied, their broadcasting licence will be suspended,” he stated.
DSTV, a subsidiary of South Africa-based Multichoice Group, has maintained that its pricing structure is a reflection of prevailing macroeconomic conditions, citing currency depreciation and operational costs. In a recent correspondence to the Ministry, the company argued that the Ghanaian cedi has depreciated by over 200% in the last eight years, making price reductions unviable.
However, Mr George rejected the justification as insufficient and criticised what he described as exploitative pricing practices.
“My fidelity lies with the Ghanaian people. They have been cheated for years, and it is time we put an end to that,” he asserted. “We will not allow foreign service providers to take advantage of our citizens under the guise of economic pressures.”
The standoff between the government and DSTV underscores growing regulatory scrutiny of foreign service providers operating in Ghana’s digital and broadcasting sectors. It also raises questions about the broader policy direction regarding consumer protection, competition, and pricing transparency in the telecom and pay-TV markets.
