Government Warns DStv Of Shutdown By September 6 Over Regulatory Breach

Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations has issued a stern ultimatum to MultiChoice Ghana, operators of DStv, warning that all transmissions could be taken off-air by September 6, 2025, if the company fails to comply with a key regulatory order. The directive marks an escalation in the ongoing standoff between the government and the pay-TV provider over access to critical pricing information.

The Ministry says it requires the data including a detailed breakdown of bouquet prices, applicable taxes, and comparisons with at least six other African countries to engage meaningfully on reducing subscription fees for Ghanaian consumers. Speaking to the media on Friday, August 15, Sector Minister Samuel Nartey George said MultiChoice had failed to meet the Ministry’s initial request, even after being granted an extension until Monday, August 11, 2025.

They said they wanted to provide a consolidated response, and I asked what that meant. They explained that they wanted to submit the information alongside a response to the 30-day suspension notice. The two are not connected in any way. The suspension notice is saying that they failed to apply to the first request of the Ministry, and per the terms of their licence, we have the power to suspend your licence in the interest of the public or on national security grounds.

So, we invoked that clause and suspended it. While they seek to consolidate us, I will enforce the laws of the land. We have fined them GHC10,000. If on the 6th of September there is no resolution, we will stop any transmission of DStv in the country, he said. Meanwhile, the Ministry has already begun applying a statutory fine of GHC10,000 per day on MultiChoice, effective Friday, August 15.

Source: GBC