“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” By Martin Luther King Jr.
The extent of pricing some companies are willing to embrace in pursuit of profit is staggering—nowhere is this more evident than in their blatant disregard for the welfare of Ghanaian consumers. The relentless drive to exploit customers is not only unappealing but deeply troubling.
A glaring example of high desire for profit is Multichoice Ghana’s refusal to reduce DSTV subscription fees and disregard for consumer welfare and fair market practices.
Ghana’s Communications Minister, Sam George, has taken a bold stance against the exorbitant pricing structures of Multichoice Ghana, the operator of DSTV and GoTV. With the cedi appreciating over 40% in the first half of 2025, the Minister demands a substantial reduction in DSTV subscription fees, emphasising that the current prices do not reflect the country’s macroeconomic gains. His directive for a 30% reduction has been met with resistance from Multichoice, which claims that such a reduction is untenable.
Ghana’s DSTV subscribers find themselves in an increasingly precarious situation, shackled by subscription costs that are notably higher than those in neighbouring countries.
For instance, the premium DSTV package costs $82.41 in Ghana compared to $61 in Liberia and $33 in Angola, $61 in Botswana, $29 in Nigeria etc . This stark disparity raises serious questions about fairness and market practices and highlights the urgent need for government intervention.
The legal backing for Minister Sam George’s ultimatum lies within the Electronic Communications Act of 2008 (Act 775). Clause 13 of this Act empowers the National Communications Authority (NCA) to suspend or revoke licenses under specific conditions, including:
If Multichoice fails to adhere to the price reduction directive, it could be seen as a violation inscribed within Ghana’s telecommunications regulations.
The refusal to engage in constructive dialogue or follow the Ministry’s directives could be interpreted as a disregard for lawful instructions.
The pricing disparities and the resulting economic strain on Ghanaian consumers create a valid public interest concern, justifying government intervention.
Furthermore, Clause 25 specifies that while service providers have the right to set prices based on supply and demand, the NCA has the authority to intervene if there’s a dominant market position, cross-subsidisation that distorts competition, or anti-competitive pricing. The glaring discrepancy in pricing between Ghana and other African nations suggests a potential abuse of market dominance that warrants scrutiny.
The refusal of Multichoice to comply with the proposed price reduction not only defies the Minister’s directive but also raises ethical questions about their business practices.
Ethically speaking, every consumer deserves fair pricing reflective of their market conditions. By failing to justify their pricing structure, Multichoice appears to be exploiting Ghanaian consumers, imposing unjustified financial burdens upon them.
Ghanaian subscribers already experience a financial strain evident from their monthly bills. Many households wrestle with managing their household expenditures against the high costs associated with entertainment subscriptions. The assertion that price cuts would lead to compromised service quality is unfounded; rather, it signals a reluctance to adjust to the financial realities of the Ghanaian market.
Consumer protection laws in Ghana explicitly advocate for transparency, fairness, and accountability in pricing. Multichoice’s pricing strategy, which is significantly higher than in other nations and often unaccompanied by adequate communication or justification, breaches these fundamental consumer rights. Such conduct can be viewed as not only exploitative but also fraudulent, undermining consumer trust and the entire essence of fair competition.
When companies such as Multichoice engage in practices that appear to take advantage of consumers without due justification, they breach these laws, and consequently, they should be held accountable.
Support for Minister Sam George’s stance against DSTV is mounting in Ghana. As citizens, we must advocate for fair treatment and pricing by holding companies accountable for their practices. The forthcoming deadline of August 7 presents a critical juncture for a collective stand against unjust pricing. It is crucial that Ghanaians rally around the Minister’s efforts; we must show that consumer advocacy is a shared responsibility that extends beyond the walls of government.
Drawing inspiration from our regional neighbors who have effectively demonstrated against unfair pricing, it is time for Ghana to assert its rights. A unified call for action, leveraging both consumer influence and legal messaging, could lead to a reconsideration of the pricing structure by Multichoice, encouraging them to align their fees more closely with other neighbouring countries like Liberia, Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Nigeria, Etc.
In the end, a reform is long necessary since the way companies treat Ghanaian consumers is a clear indication of the brutality that may occur when they prioritise profits over people.
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