Sam George Imposes GH¢10,000 Daily Fine on DStv for Failure to Submit Pricing Data
- The Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations has started fining MultiChoice GH¢10,000 per day
- The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel George, earlier gave DStv an ultimatum to reduce prices
- DStv offers pop-up channels for entertainment, sports, and other channels from international production houses
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The Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations has begun imposing a statutory fine of GH¢10,000 per day on MultiChoice Ghana, owner of DStv.
The fine is for the failure to honour requests to submit critical pricing data requested by the state.
Source: Facebook
The sector minister, Sam George, announced the decision during a meeting with the DStv team at the Ministry on Thursday, August 14. The fines start from August 15.
The requested data included a breakdown of bouquet prices, tax components, and comparisons with at least six other African countries.
George explained that the requested data was meant to support meaningful engagement on reducing subscription fees for Ghanaian customers.
3News reported that DStv had been granted an extension until Monday, August 11, 2025, to provide the information, but failed to meet the deadline, prompting a response from George.
“The regulator informed me that you requested an extension until Monday. Under the Electronic Communications Act (ECA), every day that an operator fails to provide requested information attracts a GHC10,000 penalty. I agreed to wait until Monday rather than starting charges immediately, as the difference of a few days was not critical at that stage."
“However, as of today’s meeting, the regulator has confirmed that the requested information has still not been provided. This makes it impossible to have a meaningful engagement, as the data we need to justify or challenge your pricing has not been submitted. From today, therefore, the Ministry will begin applying the statutory fine of GHC10,000 per day until the full information is received."
The Ministry had earlier warned that if no price reduction was achieved by September 6, 2025, DStv’s operating license could be suspended.
Sam George accuses MultiChoice of dodging price cut
Following the decision to suspend price hikes in Nigeria, George reportedly asked for a 30% reduction in subscription for Ghanaian consumers.
The minister’s firm stance on his decision was said to have threatened the company's broadcasting licence, but MultiChoice has still resisted.
The minister, during his explanation on the situation of his demands, disclosed that he had decided to shift the ultimatum, which was earlier August 7, to September 6, 2025, for the sake of Ghanaians.
George has highlighted significant pricing disparities between Ghana and other African countries, noting that DSTV's premium bouquet costs $83 in Ghana compared to $29 in Nigeria.
He also cited the appreciation of the Ghanaian cedi against major international trading currencies, particularly the US dollar, as the basis for his demands.
However, MultiChoice Ghana responded in a press release dated Sunday, August 3, 2025, stating that they would not be able to meet the minister's demands.
They argued that the cedi's recent appreciation was not sufficient grounds for a price reduction.
Afia Schwarzenegger blasts DStv over subscription price
Social media personality Afia Schwarzenegger expressed her frustration over high DStv monthly subscription fees in Ghana.
The social media personality slammed officials for not reducing their monthly fees, despite what she called substandard programming.
Afia Schwarzenegger gained massive support from Ghanaians who also complained about their DStv subscription costs on social media.
Mahama bans first-class flights for appointees
YEN.com.gh also reported that Mahama banned non-essential foreign travel for his appointees.
Per the ban, all government appointees in his administration would not be allowed to use first-class flights.
The President also announced plans to introduce a comprehensive code of conduct for government officials.
Source: YEN.com.gh
