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Minister Lacks Direct Power to Revoke DStv Licence – Lawyer Clarifies
Private legal practitioner Musah Ahmed has clarified that the Minister for Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovations does not have the direct authority to revoke the operating licence of pay-TV service provider DStv in Ghana.
His remarks come in the wake of an ultimatum issued by Minister Samuel Nartey George to MultiChoice Ghana, operators of DStv, warning that the broadcaster’s licence would be suspended by August 7 if it fails to revise its subscription prices in line with regulatory expectations.
At the Government Accountability Series on August 1, Sam George revealed that he had written to the National Communications Authority (NCA), instructing it to commence the suspension process if MultiChoice continued to resist a price cut.
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Speaking on NewsDesk on JoyNews, Mr Ahmed – who is lead counsel at Ahmed Legal Consult – stressed that under Ghanaian law, the power to revoke a licence lies exclusively with the NCA, not the minister.
“Section 13 also states the requirements to be met for revoking a licence,” he explained. “The law focuses on competitiveness and aligns with international best practices. It also considers the principles of a free enterprise economy and the rule of law.”
According to him, while the minister may act as a consumer advocate, championing affordability and fairness, any revocation must strictly follow the legal provisions.
“The law takes into account the interests of the consumer, and the minister is speaking from that angle. In my opinion, the minister per se does not have the power to revoke the licence. However, I have read his language carefully, especially his choice of words,” Mr Ahmed said.
He noted that Sam George’s comments suggest the NCA would be instructed to take appropriate action, including a possible revocation — a process that must still comply with all statutory requirements.
“The regulator, therefore, is the National Communications Authority. The law empowers them to revoke the licence under specified requirements outlined in Section 13. For me, I think both the minister and the regulator must comply with the law,” he emphasised.
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