Ghana has mandated that DStv’s operator, MultiChoice, reduce its subscription costs by 30% by August 7 or face the suspension of its broadcasting license. The goal of the instruction, according to the state-run Daily Graphic, is to bring Ghana’s prices into line with those of peer markets and account for the recent increase in the value of the Ghanaian cedi.
According to the article, Samuel Nartey George, Minister of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations, charged the business with overpricing in spite of advantageous currency rates.
The minister characterized MultiChoice Ghana’s 15% tariff rise in April as unwarranted, particularly in light of the cedi’s notable appreciation. George said, “The same premium DStv bouquet costs $83 in Ghana, compared to just $29 in Nigeria”
He went on to say that the government had turned down the company’s offer to keep prices the same while delaying the return of profits to its headquarters.
After the Russian ruble, the cedi is now the second-best performing currency in the world according to Bloomberg, having gained 40% versus the US dollar so far this year.
MultiChoice said that the government’s suggested price structure is unrealistic.
“It is not tenable to reduce the DStv subscription fees in the manner proposed by the minister” the company stated in a statement. “We strive to keep fees as low as possible despite the extremely challenging competitive and macroeconomic environment, without compromising on customer choice and service quality.”
