Keypoints
- DSTV faces ban if prices stay high after 7 August.
- Ghanaians overcharged compared to other African markets.
- Minister vows reforms to protect consumers and expand digital access.
GHANA’S Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation Minister Samuel Nartey George has delivered a stern ultimatum to MultiChoice Ghana, operators of DSTV: reduce subscription prices by 30 per cent or face suspension of your broadcasting licence on 7 August 2025. Speaking at the Government Accountability Series in Accra on Friday, he declared the current pricing as ‘plain stealing’ from Ghanaian consumers.
Market disparities laid bare
George emphasised the stark pricing gaps across African markets: ‘The Premium bouquet in Ghana sells for US$83, while Nigerians pay just US$29 for exactly the same content.’ He also highlighted inequities in bundled offerings:
- Compact Plus: $54 (Ghana) vs $19.60 (Nigeria)
- Family: $18.10 vs $4.80
- Access: $9.45 vs $2.70
‘There is no justification for Ghana to be paying nearly double the rates of comparable countries,’ he said.
Government rejects company defence
In a response dated July 21, 2025, MultiChoice argued the request to cut prices was unwarranted, pointing to long‑term depreciation of the Ghanaian cedi (240 per cent) and downplaying recent appreciation as temporary. George rejected that defence, saying: ‘My fidelity is to the Ghanaian people, not to foreign interests that dilute value.’
He added that other African markets with even more volatile currencies enjoy lower DSTV prices: ‘If Nigerians can pay $29 for Premium, there is no economic justification for $83 in Ghana.’
Regulatory deadline marked in bold
The ultimatum empowers the National Communications Authority (NCA) to revoke DSTV’s licence if demands are not met by the deadline. George underlined that this directive is rooted firmly in regulatory responsibility rather than personal vendetta: ‘We will not leave without securing fairness for Ghanaian consumers.’
Wider digital reform agenda – 15 new ICT laws in pipeline
George outlined an ambitious legislative agenda, with 15 ICT-related bills under drafting. These include updates to the Data Protection Act, new cybersecurity regulations, and frameworks for artificial intelligence, cloud services, and digital trade platform governance. He described the effort as ‘the largest legal overhaul of Ghana’s tech sector in history’.
Global tech investment push
Ghana is set to host the Global Entrepreneurship Festival 2025 in November, attracting over 100,000 innovators and venture capitalists to Accra for three days. George said the event will ‘reset Ghana’s place as a digital hub in Africa’.
AI strategy and digital blueprint
In May, the ministry launched a National AI Strategy, co-created with UNESCO, the British High Commission, GIZ, UNDP and local universities. A digital transformation roadmap now guides ethical AI deployment across agriculture, healthcare, education, logistics and finance, ensuring ‘inclusive, rights-based digital development’, according to George.
Youth digital empowerment
The Girls in ICT initiative trained 1,000 girls from 18 districts in coding, animation and cybersecurity this June. Partnerships with Huawei, Google, MTN and Telecel are expected to skill up 5,000 young people in AI and data science over the next 18 months. A planned $25m AI Innovation Centre in Accra will anchor this training effort.
Expanding connectivity and oversight
George confirmed the Next Generation Infrastructure Company (NGIC) has deployed 16 5G-ready sites, targeting 350 by year-end. He warned that failure to deliver commercial services by Q4 2025 would void NGIC’s exclusivity and force licence renegotiation.
He also ordered reviews of controversial contracts like Kel-GVG’s revenue monitoring deal and Smart Infraco’s access to the national data centre, promising to protect public interest and enforce compliance.
Restoring PayPal, engaging TikTok
Talks with PayPal have resumed, aiming to reinstate Ghanaian access for freelancers and SMEs. The minister has also urged TikTok to establish a local moderation office and ensure fairer compensation for creators, with agreements expected later in 2025.
