Ghanaian Government Threatens DStv With Licence Suspension Over Rising Subscription Fees
Ghanaian Government Threatens DStv With Licence Suspension Over Rising Subscription Fees
The warning was issued by the Minister for Communications, Samuel George, who said he had directed the National Communications Authority (NCA) to begin suspension proceedings against MultiChoice Ghana, the local operator of Digital Satellite Television (DStv), if it fails to comply with regulatory expectations.
The Ghanaian government has given satellite broadcaster, Digital Satellite Television (DStv) until Thursday, August 7, to reduce its subscription prices or face a suspension of its broadcasting licence.
The warning was issued by the Minister for Communications, Samuel George, who said he had directed the National Communications Authority (NCA) to begin suspension proceedings against MultiChoice Ghana, the local operator of Digital Satellite Television (DStv), if it fails to comply with regulatory expectations.
“I have directed the NCA to act swiftly.
“If by the 7th of August DStv has not complied, their broadcasting licence will be suspended,” George said.
He accused the company of overpricing its services despite favourable exchange rate conditions, citing its 15% subscription hike in April as unjustified in light of the cedi’s appreciation.
The dispute follows DStv’s rejection of a government proposal to slash subscription fees by 30 per cent.
George also criticised the company’s explanation that prices were based on the cedi’s 200 per cent depreciation over the past eight years, saying it did not reflect the country’s current economic realities.
“My fidelity lies with the Ghanaian people.
“They have been cheated for years, and it is time we put an end to that,” George said.
In response, MultiChoice Ghana said in a statement on Sunday that the demand was “not tenable” given prevailing economic conditions and the need to maintain service quality.
Managing Director, Alex Okyere, warned that enforcing price cuts could lead to job losses and reduce customer choice.
He added that the company had submitted alternative proposals to the minister and the NCA.
However, George rejected the proposals on X (formerly Twitter) and questioned why the company complied with a court order to suspend price increases in Nigeria but refused to do the same in Ghana.
DStv’s offer to maintain its current pricing while halting revenue remittances to its headquarters was also dismissed by George as “illogical.”
