Minister for Communication, Digital Innovation and Technology, Sam George, has cautioned that government can no longer bear the full cost of maintaining Ghana’s Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) network and will soon engage stakeholders to develop a sustainable funding model.
The Minister explained that the DTT platform, introduced in 2016 under then Minister Edward Omane Boamah, was originally designed to operate on a cost-sharing basis.
The framework allowed television stations free access in the first year, followed by gradual contributions of 50 percent in the second year, 75 percent in the third, and eventually the full cost of operations.
However, the arrangement was never fully implemented. A previous attempt to introduce broadcaster fees was challenged in court by the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA), leaving the government to shoulder the entire financial burden.
“As it stands, over 45 stations have been using the platform for nearly a decade without paying a pesewa towards operations or maintenance,” Sam George disclosed. “The free ride bus is running out of gas, and we need to find a sustainable means of fueling the DTT bus.”
He warned that the current situation is unsustainable, especially as the demand for slots on the platform continues to grow. While government is already working to expand DTT capacity, he stressed that broadcasters must also play their part in keeping the system viable.
According to the Minister, a stakeholder meeting will soon be convened to agree on a practical cost-sharing arrangement that ensures the long-term sustainability of the DTT ecosystem.
He emphasised that the goal is not to overburden broadcasters but to secure the platform’s future and guarantee uninterrupted service to millions of viewers across the country.
