Effective August 15, 2025, MultiChoice Ghana (DSTV) would be subject to a statutory fine of GH¢ 10,000 per day imposed by the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations for its failure to provide essential price information as required by the Electronic Communications Act (ECA).
This was declared by Minister Samuel Nartey George (MP) during a meeting with the Ministry’s DSTV team.
He stated that in order to facilitate a meaningful conversation on lowering subscription fees for Ghanaian users, the data was required. This included a breakdown of bouquet prices, tax components, and comparisons with at least six other African countries.
The Minister, Samuel Nartey George, stated that DSTV was given until Monday, August 11, 2025, to submit the information, but they did not do so.
“The regulator informed me that you requested an extension until Monday. Under the Electronic Communications Act (ECA), every day that an operator fails to provide requested information attracts a GHC 10,000 penalty. I agreed to wait until Monday rather than starting charges immediately, as the difference of a few days was not critical at that stage,” he explained.
The Ministry had previously threatened to suspend DSTV’s operating license if no price decrease was reached by September 6, 2025. This followed the company’s refusal to commit to lowering subscription fees, despite the Ministry’s proposals.
“However, as of today’s meeting, the regulator has confirmed that the requested information has still not been provided. This makes it impossible to have a meaningful engagement, as the data we need to justify or challenge your pricing has not been submitted. From today, therefore, the Ministry will begin applying the statutory fine of GHC 10,000 per day until the full information is received, the Minister added.
Hon. Nartey George stressed that the request for information is separate from ongoing stakeholder engagement, saying that:
“The law is clear, and we will enforce it. If necessary, we can freeze accounts to protect consumer interests.”
The Minister also noted that once the data is submitted, an objective review will be conducted.
“If the evidence shows taxes are the sole reason for high prices, I will advocate for a tax review. If not, we expect DSTV to comply with our directive to make subscriptions more affordable, he noted.
