DStv Contradicts Minister: No Price Cuts Deal
An official statement issued by MultiChoice Ghana, operators of DStv, has clarified that the company has not agreed to reduce the price for subscriptions and packages in Ghana.
This clarification was issued on Friday September 5, 2025 and is contrary to information put out by Samuel Nartey George, Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations on the same day that MultiChoice has agreed on price cuts.
The MultiChoice statement noted that despite the ‘no-deal’ in the subscription price cuts, the company remain fully committed to cooperating with a Working Committee established to find a solution that would be mutually beneficial to the request by regulating Authorities for a 30 percent subscription price reduction.
The MultiChoice statement, under the heading “MultiChoice sets the record straight on DStv pricing”, was addressed to the media. It read in full:
“We have noted the statement made by the Minister for Communications Technology and Innovation, Hon. Samuel Nartey George.
“We continue to engage with the Minister in a bid to find an amicable solution that is beneficial for all parties involved but does not jeopardise the viability of the DStv service.
“We will fully participate in the established Working Committee. However, we wish to clarify that MultiChoice Group has not agreed to a price reduction.”
Sam George Unhappy
This clarification from the operators of DStv, did not go down well with Samuel Nartey George, Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations. He took to his social media page almost immediately after the MultiChoice statement was issued to threaten that DStv, would be shut down in Ghana, the next day, which is Saturday, September 6. The Minister did not carry out the threat.
His post on Facebook on Friday September 5, 2025 in response to the clarification statement from MultiChoice noted:
“Let me be clear, I have no intention to continue tolerating the disrespect to Ghanaians by DStv.
“If MultiChoice is not interested as they claim in their last statement, in discussing a reduction in prices as they had indicated to me, we would proceed to effect the shutdown tomorrow as indicated.
“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.
“No company is above the law. When MultiChoice is ready to discuss price reduction, they can come to the negotiation table. Until then, there is nothing for us to meet over. The National Communications Authority Ghana would carry out enforcement.
“Ghana is open for businesses that respect our laws and institutions”
The Minister, before the clarification from MultiChoice, had stated that, “We’ve taken the decision to immediately establish a stakeholder committee comprising representatives from the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation. The regulator, the NCA, MultiChoice Ghana and MultiChoice Africa. I will personally chair the committee.
“MultiChoice has requested a 30-day window for the Committee to arrive at what percentage of reduction will be achieved. So let’s be clear, they have finally accepted that there will be a reduction. Now they want us to discuss the level of reduction. I believe, as Minister, that we do not need 30 days. 14 days is enough for us to reach this decision, inclusive of weekends,” Samuel George noted at a media briefing.
The issue has become public concern with many asking genuine questions and seeking answers to know the end of this reduction and no-reduction drama.
NCA Statement
Meanwhile, the National Communications Authority (NCA) has said, there is an ongoing engagement with MultiChoice Ghana scheduled for today, Monday, September 8, 2025.
The NCA statement reads in full:
The National Communications Authority (NCA) has received from MultiChoice Ghana, its response to the notice of intention to suspend their authorization and request for their pricing model.
While the Authority reviews their submission, there have been further engagements with MultiChoice Ghana regarding its public statement dated, 5th September 2025 and the following clarifications have been obtained:
- MultiChoice Ghana agrees with the directive from the Honourable Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations for the establishment of a Stakeholder Committee to evaluate DSTV pricing in Ghana and that they intend to fully participate in this work
- The outcome of the Stakeholder Committee would be determined at the end of its work.
- MultiChoice has confirmed that it will respect due process and the laws of Ghana and its people.
The first meeting of the Stakeholder Committee shall be held on Monday, 8th September, 2025. The Authority shall provide further updates on this matter in due course.
There is some public anxiety over the possible outcome of today’s meeting to discuss the requested price reduction.
Some have also started to question whether the regulating authority actually has the rights to dictate pricing over a product like pay-television which is a non-essential service and no one is under any obligation to subscribe.
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