Ghana’s Minister of Communications, Sam George, has announced that MultiChoice Ghana has agreed to reduce its DStv subscription prices following sustained regulatory pressure.

The decision was revealed during a press conference on Friday, September 5, marking a resolution after weeks of negotiations between the government and the pay-TV operator.

The breakthrough came after MultiChoice submitted detailed pricing data, including bouquet breakdowns, tax components, and comparisons with at least six other African countries, as requested by the government.

George emphasized that this information was essential for fair, evidence-based discussions on fee adjustments. The agreement follows a stern ultimatum issued in early August, ordering a 30% price cut by August 7 or face license suspension, accompanied by a daily fine of GHC 10,000 for non-compliance.

The directive stemmed from concerns over high prices in Ghana—where the premium bouquet costs $83 compared to $29 in Nigeria—despite the cedi’s 40% appreciation against the U.S. dollar this year, one of the world’s strongest currency gains.

Initially, MultiChoice resisted, arguing that the reduction was unfeasible and that prices were already kept low amid economic challenges. The company proposed freezing current rates and halting earnings repatriation, a suggestion George rejected, insisting on a price adjustment reflecting regional fairness and currency strength. The April 15% price hike also drew scrutiny, given the cedi’s improvement.

To finalize the reduction, George established a stakeholder committee, comprising representatives from the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, the National Communications Authority (NCA), MultiChoice Ghana, and MultiChoice Africa, which he will personally chair.

The committee has a 14-day deadline, set for September 21, to determine the new pricing structure. MultiChoice had requested 30 days, but George insisted, “14 days is enough for us to reach this decision, inclusive of weekends.”

George also confirmed that accumulated fines of approximately GHC 150,000 over 24 days will be collected, reinforcing the government’s resolve. This development signals a potential shift in how multinational companies address local economic conditions in Ghana.