Minister Orders DStv to Slash Ghana Prices by August 7 or Face Suspension
The Minister also outlined progress in other key areas, including ICT legal reforms, the development of an AI strategy, and the 5G rollout.
The Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations has taken a firm stance against MultiChoice Ghana , the operators of DStv, over its subscription pricing. Communication Minister Samuel Nartey George has directed the National Communications Authority (NCA ) to suspend DStv’s broadcasting license if the company fails to reduce its prices by August 7, 2025. This action follows negotiations where the Minister called for a 30% reduction, citing a stark disparity in pricing. He noted that the Premium DStv bouquet costs the equivalent of $83 in Ghana, while the same package in Nigeria is priced at just $29. The Minister also stated that MultiChoice Ghana had attributed this pricing difference to the Ghanaian cedi’s depreciation and described its recent appreciation as a “fluke.” This decision was announced during the Government Accountability Series.
In addition to the DStv ultimatum, Minister George also used the platform to highlight several achievements of his ministry in advancing Ghana’s digital transformation. He reported on the “One Million Coders Programme,” an initiative launched in April to equip young Ghanaians with digital skills, which has already trained 859 participants and is on track to reach over 50,000 by the end of the year. The Minister also noted that mobile data costs have been reduced, with MTN and Telecel/AirtelTigo increasing data volumes by 15% and 10% respectively, without a change in price, effective July 1, 2025.
The Minister also outlined progress in other key areas, including ICT legal reforms, the development of an AI strategy, and the 5G rollout. He stated that the Ministry has completed a review of existing ICT laws and is drafting 15 new bills, including amendments to data protection and a Startup Bill. Furthermore, Ghana’s first National Artificial Intelligence Strategy has completed legal review and is ready for Cabinet submission. The Next Generation Infrastructure Company (NGIC) is also moving forward with plans to activate more than 350 5G-ready cell sites by the final quarter of 2025. Finally, the “Girls-in-ICT Initiative” has expanded into three regions and successfully trained 1,000 girls in practical digital skills this June alone.
