Facing weeks of regulatory heat, MultiChoice Ghana has now agreed to lower its subscription fees, a move Communications Minister Sam George says comes after “a long road of accountability.”
At a media briefing on Friday, September 5, George confirmed that MultiChoice finally handed over detailed pricing records demanded by the government. The files include bouquet costs, the tax breakdown, and price comparisons with at least six other African nations, data officials insisted was vital for an evidence-based fee review.
With those documents in hand, a pricing review committee has been formed to map out reductions by September 21. “We’ve taken the decision to immediately establish a stakeholder committee comprising representatives from the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation. The regulator, the NCA, MultiChoice Ghana and MultiChoice Africa. I will personally chair the committee,” the minister said.
According to Sam George, MultiChoice sought “a 30-day window for the committee to arrive at what percentage of reduction will be achieved,” but he countered, “I believe, as Minister, that we do not need 30 days. 14 days is enough for us to reach this decision, inclusive of weekends.”
The agreement follows a government ultimatum threatening license suspension and daily penalties of GHC10,000 for failure to cut prices by 30%. Fines accrued over 24 days, roughly GHC150,000, will still be collected, George disclosed.
