The Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, has reaffirmed that the National Communications Authority (NCA) is fully empowered to recover fines imposed on MultiChoice Ghana for failing to comply with regulatory directives.
At a press briefing, Mr. George disclosed that the pay-TV operator had delayed in submitting a detailed breakdown of its bouquet pricing structure. This delay triggered penalties of GH¢10,000 per day for 24 days, in line with the Electronic Communications Act.
“The NCA still has the mandate to collect what is due—10,000 cedis a day, over 24 days—from MultiChoice for failing to provide the requested information within the stipulated time,” the Minister stated.
The dispute stems from concerns over the cost of DStv subscriptions in Ghana and a suspension notice earlier issued to the company. On August 4, the NCA requested detailed cost build-up information for bouquets in Ghana and seven other African countries.
When MultiChoice failed to comply, regulators began applying daily fines from August 14. A suspension notice dated August 7 also gave the company 30 days to respond, with the deadline set for September 6.
Mr. George revealed that on September 4, just two days before the deadline, MultiChoice Ghana reached out to both the Ministry and the NCA to express readiness for dialogue. He added that a lengthy 30-day review may not be necessary.
“MultiChoice has now shown willingness to comply and work through a consultative process. In my view, we do not need 30 days. Fourteen days, including weekends, will be enough to arrive at a fair decision,” he explained.
To manage the process, a joint committee has been formed, comprising representatives from the Ministry, the NCA, MultiChoice Ghana, and MultiChoice Africa. The body will oversee discussions on possible tariff adjustments, using the same consultative approach that guided mobile data pricing reviews in the past.
However, MultiChoice has pushed back against suggestions that it has already agreed to reduce subscription prices, though it has pledged to cooperate fully with ongoing talks.
For now, the outcome of these negotiations will determine whether Ghanaian consumers will see any adjustments in pay-TV tariffs in the coming weeks.