The already heated standoff between the Government of Ghana and MultiChoice Ghana, operators of DStv, has taken a dramatic turn. Starting today, the pay-TV giant will be paying a hefty GH₵10,000 every single day until it submits detailed pricing data requested by the authorities. According to the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations, the fine is being imposed because MultiChoice failed to provide comprehensive pricing information in line with the Electronic Communications Act (ECA). The requested data includes a full breakdown of DStv bouquet prices, the tax components, and a comparison of subscription rates with at least six other African countries. Government officials say this information is critical in determining whether Ghanaian subscribers are being charged fairly.
The Ministry first made the request on August 4, 2025, giving MultiChoice just one day to comply. After pushback from the company, the deadline was extended to August 11. In what appeared to be a goodwill gesture, the government waived fines between August 5 and August 14. However, as of August 15, with no submission received, the GH₵10,000 daily fine kicked in and will continue until the company meets the requirement.
The Electronic Communications Act empowers regulators to fine operators who fail to provide information requested in the public interest. In this case, the National Communications Authority (NCA) is acting on instructions from the Minister to enforce the law. If MultiChoice does not meet the conditions by September 6, 2025, it faces the possibility of having its operating license suspended.
This fine is just the latest twist in a larger pricing battle. Earlier this month, the Minister gave MultiChoice an ultimatum to reduce subscription fees by 30% or risk losing its license. The company rejected the demand, arguing that such cuts would compromise service quality and threaten jobs. For Ghanaian subscribers, the developments have sparked mixed feelings, with some welcoming the government’s push for fairer prices while others worry about the risk of losing access to their favorite channels.
If the fine continues to accumulate from today until the September 6 deadline, MultiChoice could be facing a bill of over GH₵230,000, not including the potential costs of a license suspension. The government has also hinted at the possibility of freezing the company’s accounts if necessary to enforce compliance. All eyes are now on MultiChoice Ghana to see whether it will submit the required data, negotiate a settlement, or dig in for a prolonged standoff. Whatever the outcome, this confrontation is shaping up to be one of the most significant regulatory battles in Ghana’s pay-TV industry.
