Satellite television provider MultiChoice Ghana has finally denied its purported decision to cut prices for Ghanaian consumers.

In a responsse statement titled “MultiChoice sets the record straight on DStv pricing” and shared on Friday, September 5, MultiChoice announced its readiness to cooperate with the Working Committee established by the Communications Ministry to find a solution to the discussion concerning the reduction of DSTV fees for the Ghanaian populace.

However, it objected to claims by the Minister that their outfit is ready for a price reduction.

“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”, the statement explained.

The said Committee, according to Sam George, will be chaired by him to ensure transparency and fairness.

This committee includes representatives from the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, the National Communications Authority (NCA), MultiChoice Ghana, and MultiChoice Africa.

The statement follows Communications Minister Sam George’s claims in an earlier press briefing held yesterday, Friday, September 5, that the satellite television provider has agreed to a price reduction.

During the briefing, he also revealed that, following their agreement to reduce prices, they have asked for thirty days to conclude discussions and arrive at a final decision. But

Sam George outrightly declared that the 30-day window is too much, hence they have just fourteen days to reach a decision. With the 14-day window, MultiChoice has until September 21 to arrive at a solution.

“Let us be clear—they have finally accepted that there will be a reduction, and they want us to discuss the level of reduction. I believe that as a minister, we do not need 30 days. 14 days is enough for us to reach this decision, inclusive of weekends,” the Minister said.

A few hours after MultiChoice publicly objected to the Minister’s claims of their price cuts, Sam George, in a (X ) formerly Twitter post, stated that their denying their earlier position of being ready to reduce prices suggests that their services in Ghana will end today, September 6, as earlier discussed

“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, ” he noted.

He stressed Ghana’s openness to work with any international company, however, in accordance with our laws.

“No company is above the law. When MultiChoice is ready to discuss a price reduction, they can come to the negotiation table. Until then, there is nothing for us to meet over. The @NCAGhana would carry out enforcement. Ghana is open for businesses that respect our laws and institutions,” he added.

Earlier, the Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, announced that should Multichoice fail to reduce the prices of its subscription services, the DStv broadcast license will be suspended nationwide effective August 7, 2025.

Engaging the public yesterday as part of the Government Accountability Series, the minister noted that he received a 9-page document from Multichoice on July 21 over its inability to reduce its subscription fees.

The company cited depreciation of the cedi in past years, despite the recent cedi appreciation, as the reason for its inability to reduce prices.Sam George noted that it is unacceptable for Nigerians to be paying less for the same packages offered Ghanaians at higher costs when the naira has depreciated at an accelerating rate against the cedi.

As such, he has directed the National Communications Authority (NCA) to suspend the broadcast of DStv should Multichoice fail to reduce prices of its packages.

"Their reasons included that the cedi had depreciated in the preceding eight years by 240%, and they claimed that my request for a reduction on the basis of the appreciation of the cedi was unfounded because, in their words, the appreciation of the Ghana cedi over the last 6 months has been a fluke which could not be sustainable.

"As Minister, my fidelity is to the Ghanaian people. I have to act in the interest of the Ghanaian people, and I believe the Ghanaian people have been fleeced and exploited for too long. I wrote back to the NCA on Monday and directed the NCA in that letter to suspend the broadcasting license of dstv effective 7th of August 2025 if they fail to effect a reduction in their bundle prices.

"I can’t as minister serving the Ghanaian people, continue to watch what can be best described as plain stealing happening to the Ghanaian people. In my letter to them, I gave them scenarios from seven markets that dstv is operating in. The same content in the premium bouquet that is offered to Ghanaians for the $83 equivalent is offered to Nigerians for the $29 equivalent.

How can anyone explain this price disparity to me? Enough of the mistreatment of the Ghanaian consumer. In Nigeria, in the same timeframe, they say the Ghanaian cedi has depreciated by 240%, the Nigerian naira has depreciated by 409%. If Nigerians are paying the equivalent of $29, dstv must charge the same here in Ghana," he said.

The minister has sought a 30 percent reduction in the price of packages provided by Multichoice. In reaction, MultiChoice Ghana responded to the directive demanding an adjustment of its subscription services.

As per a statement signed by its Managing Director, Mr. Alex Okyere, on August 3, the company emphasized that the Minister's proposal to drastically review its prices is not workable.

According to the company, it acknowledges the positive impact of the local currency, the cedi, against foreign currencies, specifically the U.S. dollar. However, a significant decrease in prices cannot be attained by the company.

“While we appreciate the recent appreciation of the cedi— which we have never referred to as a ‘fluke’— it is not tenable to reduce the DStv subscription fees in the manner proposed by the Minister,” the statement read.

Should both parties fail to reach common ground, the suspension of the DStv broadcast license is imminent.

On July 4, Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, engaged the leadership of MultiChoice Ghana to discuss a possible reduction in fees for DSTV subscriptions.

This comes after issues of affordability became topical in recent months after an increase in subscription fees in April.

The sector minister made this known when he engaged the media on July 3 on key initiatives and developments within the sector under the second quarter.

"Last week, I invited the senior leadership of MultiChoice Ghana to a formal dialogue on DSTV's subscription pricing in Ghana. The meeting addressed public concerns about affordability, value for money, and fairness in service delivery. I made it clear the ministry's expectation that pricing structures must be responsive to Ghana's economic context," he said.

"I have a meeting scheduled for tomorrow, Friday, even though it's a public holiday, with the Ghana team and their South African counterparts, the management from South Africa, they arrived tonight to agree on a way forward on the issues raised," the minister indicated.

He further said; "The outcomes will be shared with the public in due course. This engagement reflects our commitment to regulatory accountability and our resolve to ensure that digital services in Ghana remain fair, accessible, and responsive to the needs of citizens. I'll make you one promise, I won't leave tomorrow's meeting without securing a drop in the pricing of DSTV. That is a solemn promise I make to you."

Subscribers of DStv across Africa, effective April 1, 2025, experienced a price increase of over 15% on their monthly subscription fees, a decision that left many Ghanaian customers aggrieved.

The pay-TV provider cited rising consumer inflation and economic challenges as key factors influencing the decision. According to the new pricing structure, in Ghana, the cost of the premium package rose from GHC750 to GHC865, representing a 15.33% increase.

The Compact Plus package moved from GHC495 to GHC570, marking a 15.15% jump, while the Compact package increased from GHC330 to GHC380, also reflecting a 15.15% rise.

The Family package now costs GHC190, up from GHC165, indicating a 15.15% increase, whereas the Access package went up by 16.47%, from GHC85 to GHC99.

Subscribers to the DStv Lite package experienced the highest percentage surge of 18.00%, moving from GHC50 to GHC59. The DStv-Asia Standalone package climbed by 14.75%, from GHC305 to GHC350. The Great Wall Add-on increased from GHC70 to GHC80, marking a 14.29% rise.

For those subscribed to the French content add-ons, the French Add-on now costs GHC250, up from GHC215 (16.28% increase), while the French Plus Add-on rose from GHC435 to GHC500, reflecting a 14.94% increase. The French Touch Add-on costs GHC150, up from GHC130, marking a 15.38% increase.

The cost of premium packages with add-ons has also been adjusted. Premium with Asia Add-on increased from GHC1,055 to GHC1,215 (15.17% increase), while Premium with French Add-on now costs GHC1,365, up from GHC1,185 (15.19% increase). The HD-PVR service rose by 15.00%, from GHC100 to GHC115.

Following this, consumer rights organization CUTS International pushed for government intervention in MultiChoice Ghana Limited’s decision to raise subscription fees, arguing that customers were given inadequate notice ahead of the increase.

About a month ago, MultiChoice Ghana announced an upgrade in all of its DStv and GOtv packages as well as a reduction in the price of its decoders, from GH¢169 to GH¢89, due to the rebound of the economy.

The Minority caucus in Parliament has requested the appearance of the Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, along with representatives of MultiChoice Ghana, to address concerns over the recent reduction in package prices.

A statement signed by the Member of Parliament for Kpandai, Matthew Nyindam, on behalf of the Minority, on Sunday, August 3, indicated that the invitation has become crucial in order to strike a better deal between the two parties.

Meanwhile, the Minority has also emphasized that "We agree that subscription fees must be set fairly and reflect the realities of Ghana’s economy".

“We fully support the advocacy initiated by patriotic citizens, which has now attracted the attention of the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation. We agree that subscription fees must be set fairly and reflect the realities of Ghana’s economy".