Communications Minister Samuel Nartey George has issued a final, unequivocal warning to satellite television provider MultiChoice Ghana over the back-and-forth about tariff reduction.
In a tweet on Friday night, the minister responded to a breakdown in negotiations after the company reportedly declined to reduce its prices ahead of the September 6 deadline.
In a series of posts that have since gone viral, the minister accused the company of disrespecting the Ghanaian populace and reneging on its initial promise to engage in discussions.
“Let me be clear, I have no intention to continue tolerating the disrespect to Ghanaians by DStv,” the minister stated.
He added that if MultiChoice was no longer interested in a price reduction, as claimed in their last communication, the government would proceed with its planned regulatory action by discontinuing their services.
The ultimatum is the latest development in a long-running dispute between the government and the company over the high cost of satellite television services.
Acting on a wave of public complaints, the Communications Ministry had initiated a dialogue with MultiChoice, urging the company to review its tariffs to make them more affordable for consumers.
The company’s apparent shift in position has now forced the government’s hand.
“DStv indicated their willingness to engage the Ministry on its concerns on pricing and prayed us to stay our enforcement action. If they have changed their position, then we simply would enforce the regulatory action,” he said.
The minister’s resolute stance is rooted in the belief that no company should operate outside the country’s regulatory framework.
The proposed enforcement action would be carried out by the National Communications Authority (NCA), the state body mandated to regulate all broadcasting services.
A shutdown of MultiChoice services, including both DStv and GOtv, would have a significant impact on millions of subscribers.
“No company is above the law,” the Minister asserted. “When MultiChoice is ready to discuss price reduction, they can come to the negotiation table. Until then, there is nothing for us to meet over.”
Ending his statement, Minister George reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to being a business-friendly nation, but with a firm condition: “Ghana is open for businesses that respect our laws and institutions.” The nation now awaits to see if the company will respond and avert the impending shutdown.
Let me be clear, I have no intention to continue tolerating the disrespect to Ghanaians by DStv.
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… pic.twitter.com/rEb7B6YzhP
— Sam ‘Dzata’ George (@samgeorgegh) September 5, 2025