Ghana’s escalating dispute with MultiChoice Ghana, operators of DStv, is more than a row over subscription prices. It highlights a troubling signal of regulatory unpredictability in one of West Africa’s most promising economies, raising concerns for both local and foreign investors.
In August 2025, Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, threatened to suspend MultiChoice’s licence unless the company reduced subscription fees by 30%.
The minister argued that Ghanaians pay nearly $83 a month for DStv Premium, almost three times what customers in Nigeria are charged.
MultiChoice flatly rejected the directive, insisting such a move was unsustainable given the high cost of content rights, volatile foreign exchange, and operational expenses.
But according to CEO advisor and policy commentator Ernest De-Graft Egyir, the clash reveals far deeper challenges than pricing. “This is far more than a pricing dispute. It is a signal of regulatory unpredictability in one of West Africa’s most promising economies,” he said.
Egyir, who is also the Founder of the Ghana CEO Summit and a member of the National Economic Dialogue Planning Committee, warned that the government’s combative approach exposes three red flags for investors:
- Uncertain rules of the game – with no independent or reliable framework for resolving disputes.
- Weak consumer protection systems – creating space for arbitrary interventions rather than structured oversight.
- Reliance on populism – making long-term business planning and forecasting extremely difficult.
He noted that while Minister George’s directive may resonate with consumers in the short term, it risks eroding Ghana’s reputation as a predictable and investor-friendly destination. “Policy by ultimatum creates uncertainty and undermines confidence. It raises investor risk perception and reduces Ghana’s competitiveness compared to peers like Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire,” he cautioned.
The DStv standoff also reflects Ghana’s broader structural issues. MultiChoice dominates the pay-TV market because of its exclusive rights, particularly to English Premier League football, that effectively lock out competitors.
Instead of addressing these monopolistic practices through comprehensive reforms such as competition law, Egyir argues that the government has resorted to political confrontation.
For Ghana to maintain its position as a rising hub for digital innovation and investment, experts say the country must shift from populist directives to institutional reforms.
“The opportunity is there for Ghana to become a regional leader in digital media and innovation,” Egyir stressed, “but this will only be achieved by strengthening institutions and fostering fair competition, not political brinkmanship.”
