The Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, has said that the Ministry, together with the National Communication Authority (NCA), would proceed to effect the shutdown of MultiChoice Ghana today, September 6.
In July 2025, Samuel Nartey George requested a comprehensive pricing data from MultiChoice. The ministry demanded a detailed breakdown of bouquet prices, tax components, and comparative prices from at least six other African markets.
After an initial lack of cooperation from MultiChoice, he issued an ultimatum on August 1 instructing the company to reduce DSTV subscription prices by 30% or face suspension, which MultiChoice soon rejected in a statement on August 3.
The NCA then issued a 30-day notice on August 7 of its intention to suspend MultiChoice’s license. The company soon after responded saying that the proposed demand of 30% was not tenable but expressed willingness to engage in dialogue.
A week later, Sam George imposed a daily fine of GH¢10,000 on MultiChoice for failure again to provide the pricing data, and reiterated the NCA’S 30-day notice to suspend its license.
Sam George then said yesterday, September 6, that MultiChoice Ghana had agreed to reduce DSTV subscription prices. He said a stakeholder committee was to be established comprising of representatives from his ministry, the NCA, and MultiChoice Ghana and Africa.
“Let’s be clear, they have finally accepted that there will be a reduction, now they want us to discuss the level of reduction,” he stated.
However, following this, MultiChoice released a statement yesterday as well setting the record straight on the remarks by the Minister.
“We wish to clarify that MultiChoice Ghana has not agreed to a price reduction,” MultiChoice stated.
Sam George in response, said that tne NCA would go ahead with enforcing the suspension of their licence, since MultiChoice had changed their minds, insisting that they indeed indicated willingness to address DSTV prices.
This has led to a debate on social media, with people questioning whether MultiChoice and DSTV can actually be ‘sacked’.
Can Sam George and the NCA ‘sack’ DSTV?
Lawyer Adeline Sefakor Tay said that the NCA can actually revoke the license of MultiChoice and DSTV to operate in the country.
Speaking to News Desk on September 6, , she explained, “Any corporation, institution or entity has to follow the laws of Ghana, and among these laws are the laws that create regulators or state institutions that regulate any kind of entity it is.”
It is stated in Ghana’s Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775):
“13. (1) The Authority may suspend or revoke a licence or a frequency authorisation where:
(e) the suspension or revocation is necessary because of national security or is in the public interest”
The following law can also be found in Ghana’s 1992 Constitution:
“Article 20 (1) No property of any description, or interest in or right over any property shall be compulsorily taken possession of or acquired by the State unless the following conditions are satisfied—
(a) the taking of possession or acquisition is necessary in the interest of defence, public safety, public order, public morality, public health, town and country planning or the development or utilization of property in such a manner as to promote the public benefit”
Lawyer Adeline Sefakor Tay added that as long as DSTV’s actions are found to be in contrary to laws by their regulator, it is very likely for them to be suspended.
“DSTV comes under Communications which Sam George is in charge of, and they are under the NCA,” she noted.
Adding, “So if DSTV is found to not be complying with regulations put in place by the NCA to control pricing or ask for reasonable pricing, they can easily say that what they are doing is against public policy so they should leave.”
No update has yet been made on the status of the process of dismissal.
