The Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Mr. Samuel Nartey George, has dismissed a proposal from MultiChoice Ghana aimed at addressing calls for reduced DStv subscription fees, describing the company’s offer as “illogical” and failing to tackle the root issue.
The proposal, outlined in a statement issued by MultiChoice on Sunday, August 3 and signed by Managing Director Alex Okyere, suggested that the company retain current subscription prices while agreeing to halt the repatriation of revenue to its headquarters.
MultiChoice argued that reducing prices, as requested by the Minister, was not financially viable.
In the same statement, the company labelled the Minister’s prior directive to the National Communications Authority (NCA) to suspend DStv’s broadcasting licence as “regrettable,” but affirmed its commitment to constructive dialogue with government stakeholders.
However, in a strongly worded X post also published on Sunday, Mr. George rejected the proposal outright, insisting that it fails to address the core concern of affordability for Ghanaian consumers.
“They proposed that I allow them to maintain the collection of the exorbitant bouquet prices as they stand, but order them not to send the revenue to their headquarters. In all honesty, that offer lacks any logic in my estimation,” he wrote. “The essence of my action is to see Ghanaians pay a fair price for the services offered. How does this proposal solve the real issue?”
Mr. George also expressed frustration over what he described as years of exploitation of DStv subscribers in Ghana, vowing to pursue pricing reforms to ensure fairness.
“I remain open to ‘constructive engagements’ that are centred on PRICE REDUCTION. Anything else is tangential and of no consequence,” he emphasized.
The standoff has reignited public debate over the affordability and fairness of pay-TV services in Ghana, with many consumers calling for greater regulatory intervention to protect subscribers from what they view as excessive pricing.
