MultiChoice Ghana (DStv), effective Friday, August 15, 2025, has begun paying a statutory fine of GH¢10,000 per day for failing to submit critical pricing information requested under the Electronic Communications Act (ECA).
The Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, Samuel Nartey George, made the announcement during a meeting with the DStv team and officials from the ministry.
He explained that the requested data, including a breakdown of bouquet prices, tax components, and comparisons with at least six other African countries, was needed to support meaningful engagement on reducing subscription fees for Ghanaian customers.
According to him, DStv had been granted an extension until Monday, August 11, 2025, to submit the information but still failed to meet the deadline.
“The regulator informed me that you requested an extension until Monday. Under the Electronic Communications Act, every day an operator fails to provide requested information attracts a GH¢10,000 penalty. I agreed to wait until Monday rather than start charging immediately, as the difference of a few days was not critical at that stage,” he explained.
The Ministry had earlier indicated that if no price reduction was achieved by September 6, 2025, DStv’s operating license could be suspended.
This followed the company’s refusal to commit to lowering subscription fees, despite the Ministry’s proposals.
“However, as of today’s meeting, the regulator has confirmed that the requested information has still not been provided. This makes it impossible to have a meaningful engagement, as the data we need to justify or challenge your pricing has not been submitted. From today, therefore, the Ministry will begin applying the statutory fine of GH¢10,000 per day until the full information is received,” he added.
He also stressed that the request for information is separate from ongoing stakeholder engagement, adding that once the data is submitted, an objective review will be conducted.
SP/MA
‘Last Wave’: Defence Press Corps captures Dr Omane Boamah’s final assignment