Accra: The Government has issued a directive to Multi-Choice, the operators of DSTV and GOTV, mandating a revision of their subscription fees by August 7, 2025, to align with the country's improved economic conditions.
According to Ghana News Agency, the government has warned that failure to comply by the given date will result in the suspension of Multi-Choice's broadcasting license in the country. This announcement was made by Mr. Samuel Nartey George, the Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, during the Government Accountability Series.
Mr. George has been in discussions with Multi-Choice over the past weeks, advocating for a 30% reduction in charges across all of its packages for Ghanaian customers. However, Multi-Choice has cited reasons such as a 240% depreciation of the Ghanaian Cedi over the past eight years as justification for maintaining current prices.
The Minister dismissed these reasons, noting that other African countries with similar economic challenges have managed to offer lower subscription fees. He emphasized that Ghana's economic situation has improved significantly in the last seven months, justifying a reduction in subscription costs.
Comparative analysis revealed that subscription fees in Ghana are significantly higher than in other African nations. For example, the Compact Plus package costs $54.3 in Ghana, compared to $19.6 in Nigeria and $36 in Liberia. In Angola, the same package is $27, while it is $43 in Botswana, $35 in Eswatini, and $34 in South Africa.
For the Premium package, Ghanaians are charged $82.40, whereas Nigerians pay $29, and the cost is $61 in Liberia, $33 in Angola, $61 in Botswana, $52 in Eswatini, and $51 in South Africa. The disparity is also evident in the Compact and Family packages, with Ghanaians paying significantly more than subscribers in other countries.
Mr. George criticized the pricing disparity as unfair, stating that it constitutes "fleecing" of Ghanaian consumers. He stressed that the content offered is identical across countries, making the higher costs in Ghana unjustifiable.
As the regulator of the sector, the Ministry, through the National Communications Authority (NCA), is committed to protecting Ghanaian consumers from unfair pricing by foreign-owned companies. Mr. George stated that if Multi-Choice fails to implement the 30% fee reduction by the August 7 deadline, the NCA will suspend the company's broadcasting license.
He clarified that the government's actions are not intended to threaten or drive out Multi-Choice but are aimed at safeguarding the interests of the Ghanaian public.
