Ghana’s Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has issued a stern warning that all DStv transmissions risk being shut down by September 6, 2025, if MultiChoice, operators of DStv, fails to comply with a regulatory directive.
The dispute centers on the company’s alleged failure to provide requested pricing data, a condition the Ministry insists is essential for consumer protection and regulatory oversight.
“MultiChoice had been given an extension until Monday, August 11, 2025, yet they still failed to comply. They said they wanted to provide a consolidated response, and I asked what that meant. They explained that they wanted to submit the information alongside a response to the 30-day suspension notice. The two are not connected in any way.” Mr. George stated.
According to the Minister, government regulators had already notified DStv of its intention to suspend its license due to its refusal to lower subscription fees as directed. “The suspension notice is saying that they failed to apply to the first request of the Ministry, and per the terms of their licence, we have the power to suspend your licence in the interest of the public or on national security grounds. So, we invoked that clause and suspended it,” he explained.
The Ministry has since fined MultiChoice GHC10,000 for non-compliance and warned that if the stalemate persists beyond the deadline, it will enforce a total blackout of DStv services in Ghana.
“While they seek to consolidate us, I will enforce the laws of the land. If on the 6th of September there is no resolution, we will stop any transmission of DStv in the country,” Mr. George emphasized.
As part of its regulatory demands, the Ministry has instructed MultiChoice to provide a detailed breakdown of its bouquet prices, applicable taxes, and comparative subscription data from at least six other African countries. Officials say this is crucial to engage meaningfully on price reductions for Ghanaian consumers, who have long complained about high subscription costs.
The looming deadline now places DStv’s operations and the viewing experience of thousands of households in jeopardy, unless an agreement is reached.
