Samuel Nartey George, the Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, has said that MultiChoice, the operator of DStv Ghana, has taken a recalcitrant position.
According to Sam George, Multichoice thinks Ghanaians will turn on him because of the English Premier League (EPL).
He noted that, as a regulator, they have a responsibility when there is a monopoly to act in the interest of Ghanaians.
Sam George on JOY FM Super Morning Show on August 12, 2025, broke down the Impasse with DStv.
He stated, “I had made a request for 30%. There’s a reason behind the 30%. In April this year, MultiChoice increased their prices by 15%… at that time, the cedi had appreciated by about 10% against the dollar… So there was absolutely no justification for that 15%. So I’m reversing that 15% and then demanding a further 15% for the Ghanaian people.
They have said to me that they have a position we are not going to drop by even one cent. My advice to businesses is that you don’t fight your regulator”.
He added, “When I say that I have engaged, I have gone as far as speaking to the South African Minister of ICT to speak to them, but Multichoice has taken a recalcitrant position because they think it is wrong calculations, that Ghanaian people will turn on Sam George because of the EPL.
As a regulator, we have a responsibility when there is a monopoly to act in the interest of the people”.
Sam George further revealed that DStv wrote to NCA without copying him in the message, stating they would not comply with his directive for a price reduction in subscription prices.
The sector minister fumed, “They wrote to my regulator, the NCA [National Communications Authority], asking the NCA to write to them confirming that the NCA would not comply with my directive as minister… You write to my regulator; you don’t copy me”.
“When you say you have a low subscription in Ghana, it’s because your prices are not uniform and have led to cross-border piracy on your platform”, he charged.
Sam George further cited MultiChoice court cases in Malawi and in Nigeria, which led to a price drop.
“In Malawi, in 2023… they just shut them down… MultiChoice went to court, lost the case, and four months later came back, offered one week free… and dropped the prices. In Liberia… they slashed the premium package by $30. In Nigeria in 2024… the Nigerian House of Reps passed an instruction prohibiting the increases”, he detailed.
Sam George further announced that Canal+ has reached out to him, and he made Ghana’s request clear to them.
Canal+ has acquired MultiChoice, the parent company of DStv, in a $3 billion deal, which will give it control over DStv and GOtv.
Sam George added, “Canal+ has reached out and I’ve made it clear to them if they want to come into Ghana and operate… this is our request. Canal Plus’s attitude is light-years more positive than that of MultiChoice”.
It will be recalled that Sam George, speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Friday, August 1, announced MultiChoice broadcast license will be suspended by the National Communications Authority (NCA) if they fail to reduce subscription prices by August 7, 2025.
The NCA has subsequently written to MultiChoice DStv, issuing a 30-day notice to suspend the DStv broadcasting licence.
Meanwhile, the countdown is on and ticking towards the September 6 deadline, with many Ghanaians patiently waiting to see how the DStv subscription prices will be resolved.
In addition, Fuseini Issah, former Member of Parliament for Okaikwei North, has told Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, to desist from fighting DStv Ghana publicly.
The former member of parliament noted that Sam George publicly fighting DStv will deter the investors from entering the market the Ghanaian market.
According to Fuseini Issah, a calm dialogue will be better than public confrontation.
Speaking on Channel One TV on Monday, August 4, Fuseini Issah stated, “If you are fighting DStv publicly, I don’t see how another company will find this environment attractive enough to bring their investment.
You don’t know how this is going to affect the business environment in Ghana and our foreign investment,” he said.
He added, “I think we should find cool heads, go back to the table, and resolve this matter.”
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