The Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations has begun enforcing statutory penalties against MultiChoice Ghana (DSTV) after the company failed to submit key pricing information required under the Electronic Communications Act (ECA).
Effective Friday, August 15, 2025, the broadcaster will incur a fine of GHC 10,000 per day until it provides the requested details.
Sector Minister Hon. Samuel Nartey George (MP) disclosed the sanctions during a meeting with DSTV executives in Accra. He explained that regulators had demanded a detailed breakdown of subscription bouquet prices, the tax components, and a comparative analysis with at least six other African countries.
The data, he said, is critical to ongoing negotiations aimed at lowering subscription fees for Ghanaian viewers. DSTV was granted an extension until Monday, August 11, 2025, to comply but failed to meet the deadline.
“The law stipulates that every day an operator withholds required information attracts a penalty of GHC 10,000. I chose to wait until the extension expired rather than impose fines immediately. But as of today, the regulator confirms no data has been provided, making genuine engagement impossible,” the Minister said.
He stressed that the fines are separate from broader talks on pricing, warning: “We will apply the law as written. Where necessary, accounts may be frozen to protect consumers.”
Earlier, the Ministry cautioned that DSTV’s operating licence could be suspended after September 6, 2025, if no concrete steps are taken to reduce subscription costs.
According to the Minister, once the information is received, it will be subjected to an independent review. “If taxes are proven to be the main factor behind high prices, I will personally advocate a tax adjustment. If not, DSTV must act to make its services more affordable,” he added.
