by Thinus Ferreira
The Ghanaian government through its minister of communications has given MultiChoice an ultimatum to reduce its subscription fees in the struggling West African country by 30%.
It follows after MultiChoice Ghana hiked DStv subscription fees by 15% in April 2025 after an increase in 2024. A consumer group in Ghana slammed the short notice period that MultiChoice Ghana gave consumers in the country before the higher price kicked in.
Last week Sam George, Ghana's minister for communication, digital technology and innovation, held a second meeting with MultiChoice Ghana representatives, similar to a first meeting the week before.
At this past week's meeting, he demanded a response from MultiChoice Ghana and MultiChoice Africa by 21 July about dropping the price of DStv and GOtv subscription fees in the country by 30%.
Dr Keabetswe Modimoeng, MultiChoice's group executive for regulatory and corporate affairs, flew to and attended the meeting in Ghana in person.
According to Sam George, DStv subscribers in Ghana want to see a direct price cut in their monthly subscription fees.
DStv subscribers are also dissatisfied and upset with outdated content shown by MultiChoice on DStv and feel that the subscription fees have become too expensive.
The minister also wants to see MultiChoice pay to produce more local content from Ghana. The government is apparently working on a new broadcasting bill which will aim to increase the local content quotas required to be produced by broadcasters in the country.
MultiChoice was asked for comment over the past weekend and it will be added here when received.