By Accra Mail
The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Hon. Samuel Nartey George, has formally called on Multichoice Ghana to slash DSTV subscription fees by 30% to reflect the recent appreciation of the Ghanaian cedi and mounting public dissatisfaction over high prices and stale programming.
In a meeting held today with a delegation from DSTV led by Dr. Keabetswe Modimoeng, Group Executive for Regulatory and Corporate Affairs, the Minister stressed that the government鈥檚 primary responsibility is to protect consumer interests. He pointed out that over the past five months, the cedi has strengthened by about 30%, yet subscription rates remain unchanged.
Citing feedback gathered during public engagements, Hon. Nartey George highlighted that many DSTV customers feel the current pricing is unjustified, particularly as most of the content is considered outdated, apart from the English Premier League. While Multichoice has rolled out various promotional offers, the Minister emphasized that consumers overwhelmingly prefer an across-the-board price reduction over temporary discounts.
To address these concerns, Multichoice Ghana has been given until July 21 to formally respond with a concrete proposal. The timeline is intended to allow further discussions before the end of the month.
The conversation also covered persistent issues of piracy and regulatory compliance. The Minister expressed concern over the rising incidence of cross-border piracy, particularly the use of unauthorized DSTV decoders smuggled into Ghana. He noted that such practices undermine local service providers and cost the government valuable revenue.
Beyond pricing, Hon. Nartey George advocated for increased investment in local content, underscoring its potential to generate employment and drive revenue for Ghanaian filmmakers. He confirmed that work is underway on a new broadcasting bill, which will progressively raise the minimum share of local content required on all pay-TV platforms operating in Ghana.
Responding to the Minister鈥檚 demands, Dr. Modimoeng thanked the government for opening constructive dialogue. He assured that Multichoice was committed to considering the request and would provide a formal response by the stipulated July 21 deadline. He also reiterated the company鈥檚 readiness to ramp up anti-piracy efforts and provide updates on progress.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to uphold consumer protection, regulatory discipline, and support for Ghana鈥檚 creative industry in the rapidly evolving broadcasting sector.