MultiChoice rejects 30% DStv fee reduction proposal… what this means for subscribers

In what is shaping up to be a defining moment for corporate accountability and consumer protection in Ghana’s digital economy, a fierce dispute has erupted between MultiChoice—operators of DStv Ghana—and the Honourable Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Mr Samuel Nartey George, over recent pay-TV subscription hikes.

The controversy came to a head following a media statement by DStv Ghana, dated August 3, where the company expressed concern over the minister’s public stance and defended its pricing model amidst economic fluctuations and operational pressures. But in a swift and sharply worded response, Minister George doubled down on his criticism, accusing the South African-owned pay-TV provider of showing disregard for the Ghanaian consumer.

The Crux of the Dispute

MultiChoice’s statement highlighted its dismay at the minister’s remarks, stating:

“It is regrettable that the Honourable Minister has taken this stance, notwithstanding our ongoing endeavours to engage… in good faith.”

The company insists that its bouquet pricing remains as low as possible, despite what it described as “extremely challenging competitive and macro-economic environments.” It acknowledged the recent appreciation of the Ghanaian cedi but argued that a price slash—on the scale demanded by the Minister—was not feasible.

“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.

MultiChoice claims it has operated in Ghana for over 30 years and values its local staff and partners, whom it fears could bear the brunt of any escalation in the dispute. The company also revealed that it had tabled an alternative proposal to the Ministry and the National Communications Authority (NCA), the details of which have now become a flashpoint in the back-and-forth.

Minister George’s Response: “The Reset Has Begun”

Minister George did not mince words in his reaction. Taking to public platforms, he lambasted DStv’s position and revealed what he described as a bizarre proposal from the company.

“They proposed that I allow them maintain the collection of the exorbitant bouquet prices as they stand but order them not to send the revenue to their headquarters,” he disclosed.

He described the offer as illogical and far removed from the issue at stake—price relief for ordinary Ghanaian consumers.

The Minister drew comparisons with Nigeria, where DStv’s parent company, MultiChoice Group, recently reversed price hikes after legal intervention by Nigerian authorities. He pointed out that a similar reversal should have been considered in Ghana, especially given the improved macroeconomic indicators as of April 2025: a 10% appreciation in the Cedi, over 5% drop in inflation, and a decrease in fuel prices.

“Far too long, corporations have fleeced the Ghanaian people,” he said. “There has been a RESET and it demands a new style of public service that is fiercely protective of the Ghanaian people.”

While acknowledging the role of DStv’s Ghanaian employees, George urged them to align with consumer interests rather than corporate inertia. He ended his remarks by reaffirming his openness to dialogue—but only if it focuses squarely on actual price reductions.

A Bigger Battle Over Corporate Responsibility

The standoff is more than just a dispute about bouquet prices. It touches the nerve of a broader conversation in Ghana and across Africa: How can governments protect consumers from exploitative pricing by multinational corporations while encouraging investment and operational sustainability?

MultiChoice’s argument rests on maintaining service quality and choice for subscribers amid cost pressures. But for the Minister, those justifications ring hollow in the face of improved economic conditions that should have translated into some relief for consumers.

The underlying tension also reflects a power shift, where African regulators and policymakers—emboldened by precedent in countries like Nigeria and Kenya—are demanding more transparency and responsiveness from dominant foreign players in the digital and broadcast economy.

What Next?

At the heart of the matter is whether MultiChoice will revisit its pricing policy in Ghana in response to mounting public and regulatory pressure, or hold firm, as it seeks what it calls “constructive engagement.”

For now, subscribers and staff in Ghana are caught in the middle. While many await a resolution, the Minister’s firm tone suggests this will not be business as usual. In his own words: “Anything else is tangential and of no consequence.”

As the conversation continues, the outcome of this dispute could set a precedent not just for Ghana but for consumer-corporate relations across Africa’s media space.

READ MULTICHOICE FULL STATEMENT ON THE ISSUE:

3rd August 2025

Media statement:
DStv pricing in Ghana

MultiChoice notes with concern the recent statements made by the Honourable Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Mr Samuel Nartey George regarding DStv pricing in Ghana.

It is regrettable that the Honourable Minister has taken this stance, notwithstanding our ongoing endeavours to engage with the Honourable Minister candidly and in good faith on this important matter. In an effort to arrive at a resolution, we have made a proposal to the Honourable Minister and the National Communications Authority (“the NCA”) on an alternative further engagement avenue.

Having operated in Ghana for 30 plus years, we value our employees, contract staff, dealers, installers, agents, and retailers in Ghana. We are mindful of the dire implications that an impasse may have on you and your livelihoods, and we assure you that we are committed to working together with the Honourable Minister and the NCA to resolve this matter.

MultiChoice values its subscribers and endeavours at all times to keep DStv subscription fees as low as possible, despite the extremely challenging competitive and macro-economic environment in which we operate, without compromising on customer choice and the quality of the services we offer.

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.

MultiChoice remains committed to constructive engagement with the Honourable Minister and to complying with all applicable laws and regulations in Ghana and trusts that the authorities will do likewise.

ENDS
Signed
Alex Okyere
Managing Director

MultiChoice’s response to the Honourable Minister for Comm., Digital Tech. & Innovation, Mr. Sam George Nartey #YfmGhana pic.twitter.com/4FULgjEp7d

— YFM KUMASI 🇬🇭 (@y1025fm) August 3, 2025

READ THE MINISTER’S RESPONSE IN FULL:

The same Group operating in Nigeria reversed price increases in Nigeria when the Nigerian authorities sued them. The Nigerian House of Representatives took the matter up and ordered a suspension of the increases. They complied.

This year, in April, at a time the Ghanaian cedi had seen a ~10% appreciation against all major currencies, inflation had dropped by over 5% and fuel prices had also dropped, DStv announced and implemented a 15% increase.

I believe in the interest of transparency, I make public the alternate proposal that DStv offered to me that I flatly rejected.

They proposed that I allow them maintain the collection of the exorbitant bouquet prices as they stand but order them not to send the revenue to their headquarters. In all honesty, that offer lacks any logic in my estimation. The essence of my action is to see Ghanaians pay a fair price for the services offered. How does this proposal solve the real issue?

For far too long, corporations have fleeced the Ghanaian people. There has been a RESET and it demands a new style of public service that is fiercely protective of the Ghanaian people. I remain empathetic to the Ghanaian staff of DStv but I believe that they should stand with the rest of us as we demand what is right for us.

I remain open to “constructive engagements” that are centred on PRICE REDUCTION. Anything else is tangential and of no consequence.