In response to mounting public frustration over the rising cost of DStv subscriptions, the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has given a firm assurance that he will secure a reduction in the pay-TV provider’s prices, promising Ghanaians relief from what many have described as exorbitant and unjustified charges.
Addressing journalists at a media briefing on Thursday, the minister acknowledged the intense dissatisfaction among DStv users in Ghana, who have repeatedly decried the platform’s pricing structure as insensitive to the country’s prevailing economic conditions.
“The pricing structures must be responsive to Ghana’s economic context,” Mr George declared. “I make you one promise: I won’t leave tomorrow’s meeting without securing a drop in the pricing of DStv. That is a solemn promise I make to you.”
The minister’s intervention comes at a time when many Ghanaians have been expressing outrage on radio, television, and social media platforms over what they view as the steady rise in subscription fees despite irregular content delivery, technical downtimes, and limited flexibility in package options.
Several advocacy groups and consumer rights organisations have petitioned the government to act, describing DStv’s pricing as exploitative, especially in the face of economic hardship, currency depreciation, and declining household incomes.
Sam George assured the public that the government is taking the matter seriously and is already engaging with DStv’s local and international leadership to find an appropriate solution.
Mr George disclosed that the ministry has already held preliminary discussions with DStv’s Ghana office and is set to host a critical meeting with both the Ghanaian and South African leadership of the company to press home the demands of Ghanaians.
“The meeting addressed public concerns about affordability, value for money, fairness, and service delivery. I made clear the ministry’s expectations,” he stated.
He stressed that the forthcoming engagement will focus on realigning DStv’s pricing model to reflect local economic realities, such as exchange rate fluctuations, purchasing power, and the average income levels of subscribers.
The minister further indicated that any agreed changes will not only address price reductions but also cover quality assurance, content diversification, and better customer service delivery.
Sam George used the opportunity to highlight the broader mission of the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations—to ensure accountable, equitable, and consumer-friendly regulation across all sectors of the digital economy.
“This engagement reflects our commitment to regulatory accountability and our resolve to ensure that digital services in Ghana remain fair, accessible, and responsive to the needs of citizens,” he affirmed.
He promised that outcomes of the negotiations with DStv will be communicated to the public in due course, while reiterating his personal commitment to advocate for what he termed “economic justice in digital consumption”.
DStv, operated by MultiChoice, is one of the most dominant subscription-based satellite television services in Ghana and across sub-Saharan Africa. It provides a mix of sports, movies, entertainment, documentaries, and news content through tiered monthly packages.
Over the years, DStv has come under scrutiny for its lack of country-specific pricing models, leading to wide disparities between what customers pay in Ghana compared to other countries with similar income levels.
If successful, the minister’s intervention could set a precedent for similar regulatory reviews in the digital content and broadcast sector, especially for foreign-owned services operating in Ghana.
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