… Declares War Against Nigerian Pirates
With the recent announcement by the Ghanaian Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, of new DStv subscription packages which took effect from October 1, 2025, the country has shown itself as being at the helm of affairs in the industry.
The move followed a meeting between the government and operators of MultiChoice Ghana aimed at reducing subscription costs and increasing service experience for consumers.
At a press briefing in Accra on September 29, 2025, Sam George revealed that the new arrangements will give subscribers between 33% and 50% more value, depending on their package.
“MultiChoice Africa has committed to implement an unprecedentedly increased value offer only in Ghana, which will result in Ghanaian DStv subscribers getting more services for less,” the Minister said.
New package details:
- Padii Subscription (GHC59): Subscribers paying GHC59 will now automatically access the Second Bouquet valued at GHC99, gaining 35 extra channels — a savings of 40%.
- Second Bouquet (GHC99): Subscribers will be upgraded to the Family Bouquet valued at GHC190, with 19 additional channels. This represents a 48% savings.
- Family Package (GHC190): Subscribers will be upgraded to Compact (GHC380), giving them 22 more channels and live football access — a 50% savings.
- Compact (GHC380): Subscribers will be upgraded to Compact Plus (GHC500) with 12 additional channels, saving 33%.
- Compact Plus (GHC570): Subscribers will be upgraded to Premium (GHC865), gaining 18 more channels and saving 34%.
- Premium (GHC865): Subscribers will retain full access to the flagship bouquet but will also qualify for a draw to win fully paid trips to English Premier League matches, subject to terms and conditions.
Sam George stressed that the offer will apply to both existing and new subscribers, with no restrictions on bouquet selection.
The government has also formed a multi-agency task force to stop alleged smuggling and use of pirated Nigerian DStv decoders in Ghana, a practice officials say has cost the state revenue, shifted jobs abroad, and weakened the local content industry.
According to the minister, the initiative follows months of work by a stakeholder committee involving the National Communications Authority (NCA), MultiChoice Africa, and MultiChoice Ghana, which examined the extent of decoder piracy.
“For years, this cross-border piracy has deprived the state of tax revenue, transferred jobs from Ghana to Nigeria, denied unsuspecting customers quality customer service, and undermined Ghana’s creative industry,” Mr. George said.
He further described MultiChoice’s commitment as “over and above” expectations, noting that the government will continue to push for affordability and fairness in the telecommunications and digital services sector.
It will be recalled that the Ghanaian government had on September 3, 2025, issued MultiChoice Ghana an ultimatum to reduce subscription prices by September 6 or face licence revocation and operational shutdown, escalating a months-long pricing dispute.
George delivered the stark warning during the Digital Africa Summit in Accra, declaring that the DStv/GOtv operator must comply with government demands for fairer pricing that reflects Ghana’s economic conditions.
“No corporate entity is above the collective interest of the Ghanaian people,” he further stated.
The confrontation stems from the government’s request in July for a 30% reduction in subscription fees, citing reduced inflation and stabilizing economic conditions.
However, French media giant Canal+ has formally taken effective unconditional control of MultiChoice Group (MCG), after the completion of all necessary regulatory approvals, setting the stage for a sweeping integration of operations across Africa and beyond.
