Minister Presses MultiChoice Ghana for 30% DSTV Price Cut, Citing Cedi Gains and Public Discontent

Ghana’s Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, Samuel Nartey George, has formally requested a 30% reduction in DSTV subscription prices, citing the cedi’s recent appreciation and growing consumer frustration over stagnant pricing.

The demand was made during a meeting with a delegation from MultiChoice Ghana, led by Dr. Keabetswe Modimoeng, Group Executive for Regulatory and Corporate Affairs. The Minister referenced the cedi’s 30% appreciation over the past five months and said this economic improvement has not been matched by a corresponding drop in DSTV rates.

“Despite a 30% improvement in the cedi’s value over the past five months, DSTV prices have not reflected this positive economic shift,” the Minister stated.

The Minister stressed that the government’s mandate is to respond to citizens’ concerns. While MultiChoice has introduced promotional packages, the Minister noted that consumers are demanding more direct and permanent price adjustments.

He has given MultiChoice Ghana until July 21 to formally respond with a concrete proposal. The Ministry expects that this will lead to further engagement and a resolution by the end of the month.

Piracy and Compliance Also on the Table

The meeting also addressed broader regulatory concerns, including cross-border content piracy and the use of unauthorized DSTV boxes imported from other countries. The Minister expressed concern over these practices and signaled an intention to enhance enforcement and compliance within Ghana’s pay-TV sector.

MultiChoice has published several media statements over the last two years detailing its anti-piracy successes.

According to a publication by ‘Mybroadband,’ it has shifted its anti-piracy fight from smaller resellers of IPTV services that provide illegal access to DStv content to the upstream providers in foreign countries that manage these services.

By blocking accounts linked to these operators during high-profile events, such as live sports broadcasts, MultiChoices is giving the pirates egg on their face and discouraging people from using their services.

These publicly shared actions have been limited to raids and arrests of local resellers of modified Android TV boxes, as well as subscriptions to IPTV services offering DStv content.

In its half-year results for the 2025 financial year, the company reported that it had initiated 233 anti-piracy court cases, compared to 111 over the same period the previous year.

Background: Pressure and Policy in Focus

This latest move follows mounting public dissatisfaction over DSTV pricing, which some consumers argue remains high despite macroeconomic improvements. It also comes in the context of a broader debate about the limits of regulatory intervention in competitive markets.

In an earlier editorial, The High Street Journal cautioned against price-setting through political pressure, noting that MultiChoice operates in a competitive environment with alternatives such as Netflix, Showmax, and YouTube. The editorial argued that market forces, not ministerial directives, should determine pricing and value.

The Minister’s current approach may intensify scrutiny of government-business relations, particularly in sectors where consumer expectations and economic realities diverge.

As the July 21 deadline approaches, stakeholders will be watching closely to see whether MultiChoice agrees to reprice its services, or whether the matter evolves into a broader test of market regulation in Ghana’s media and telecommunications sectors.

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