Gov’t to Proceed With MultiChoice Ghana Shutdown if Company Fails to Cut Prices Today
Communications Minister Samuel Nartey George has issued a final ultimatum to MultiChoice Ghana, warning that the satellite television provider risks being shut down today, September 6, 2025, if it fails to engage in negotiations over a tariff reduction.
In a strongly worded post on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday night, the Minister accused MultiChoice of showing “disrespect” to Ghanaians and reneging on its earlier commitment to hold discussions with government over what has long been described as exorbitant subscription prices.
“I have no intention to continue tolerating the disrespect to Ghanaians by DStv. If they have changed their position, then we simply would enforce the regulatory action. No company is above the law,” he wrote on X following a statement by MultiChoice Ghana indicating that it had not agreed to a cut in its subscription tariffs as earlier indicated by the Communications Minister.
The directive follows weeks of escalating tensions between government and the pay-TV operator. Mr George said MultiChoice had previously signalled its readiness to dialogue, which led the Ministry of Communications to temporarily suspend regulatory action. However, he stressed that any reversal of this commitment would trigger immediate enforcement by the National Communications Authority (NCA), which has oversight of broadcasting services.
“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,” he explained.
The dispute comes amid long-standing public dissatisfaction with MultiChoice’s pricing model, often viewed as disproportionately high compared to other markets. The Minister’s uncompromising stance has drawn support from many consumers, who argue that the South African-owned firm operates with little regard for customer concerns given its dominant market position.
“Ghana is open for businesses that respect our laws and institutions. Until then, there is nothing for us to meet over. The @NCAGhana would carry out enforcement,” Mr George concluded.
The standoff leaves open the possibility of last-minute talks to avert the suspension of one of the country’s most widely used entertainment services.
