Subscription reductions: DSTV Committee requests a one-week extension

The stakeholder committee set up to evaluate DSTV pricing in Ghana has asked for more time to conclude its work following weeks of negotiations that have yet to yield a resolution.

The committee, which began work on September 8, 2025, was mandated to achieve a common position on subscription pricing and to develop a roadmap to tackle cross-border piracy of DSTV services from Nigeria into Ghana.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the National Communications Authority (NCA) said the committee had made progress but required an extension.

“Whilst the Committee has made significant progress, it has requested an extension of one week to complete its work, which extension has been granted by the Honorable Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations,” the statement noted.

The NCA explained that the committee’s work is aimed at two specific objectives:

a) Achieve a shared understanding of DSTV pricing for Ghana and structured, mutually acceptable and commercially viable measures to address the Minister’s concerns around the pricing of the DSTV service;

b) Establish an acceptable roadmap to curb cross-border piracy of DSTV decoders/service from Nigeria to Ghana.”

The latest development follows a long-running dispute between DSTV operator, Multichoice Ghana, and the Ministry of Communications over subscription fees.

The Minister, in earlier engagements, criticized what she described as disproportionately high DSTV charges in Ghana compared to Nigeria and South Africa.

Multichoice, however, has consistently defended its pricing structure, arguing that Ghana’s market conditions, tax obligations, and operational costs are significantly different from other countries.

The company has previously cautioned that drastic cuts in subscription fees could undermine its ability to provide quality service and retain staff.

Despite these arguments, the Ministry has maintained pressure on Multichoice to reduce tariffs, citing affordability for ordinary Ghanaian households.

The formation of the stakeholder committee was seen as a middle ground to resolve the impasse.

With the extension granted, the NCA has indicated that the outcome of the committee’s work is expected to be presented by September 29, 2025.