Samuel Nartey George is the Minister of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovation
Following the announcement by the Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, that DStv’s broadcasting license will be suspended if the company fails to reduce its prices by August 7, 2025, MultiChoice has issued a formal response to the directive.
In a statement signed by Managing Director, Alex Okyere, and sighted by GhanaWeb Business, MultiChoice stated 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.
“While we appreciate the recent appreciation of the Cedi (which we have never referred to as a ‘fluke’), it is not tenable to reduce the DStv subscription fees in the manner proposed by the Minister,” part of MultiChoice’s release read.
MultiChoice further reiterated its commitment to constructive engagement with Sam George and to complying with all relevant laws and regulations in Ghana.
“MultiChoice values its subscribers and endeavours at all times to keep DStv subscription fees as low as possible, despite the extremely challenging competitive and macroeconomic environment in which we operate—without compromising on customer choice and the quality of the services we offer,” the statement added.
This development follows remarks made by Sam George on Friday, August 1, 2025, in which he criticized pricing disparities in DStv packages across African countries, including Ghana.
According to the minister, Ghanaians are paying nearly 30 percent more than neighboring countries, arguing that citizens deserve fairer treatment.
He pointed out that the premium bouquet package offered to Ghanaians at the equivalent of $83 is available to Nigerians for just $29.
In June last year, MultiChoice reportedly implemented a $30 price reduction on premium packages in Liberia, despite prices there being comparable to Ghana’s.
Lower-tier bundles were also reduced by $17.
The minister added that MultiChoice cited a 240 percent depreciation of the cedi to justify its pricing, even though the Nigerian naira depreciated by 490 percent during the same period.
He warned that failure to comply with the directive would result in suspension of DStv’s broadcasting license effective Thursday, August 7, 2025.
SA/EB
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