The Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, has stressed that the National Communications Authority (NCA) is fully empowered to enforce penalties imposed on MultiChoice Ghana over regulatory breaches.
At a press briefing, Mr. George revealed that the pay-TV operator had failed to submit a detailed breakdown of its bouquet pricing structure as demanded by regulators, triggering a fine of GH¢10,000 per day for 24 days.
“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 regulatory dispute stems from concerns about DStv subscription pricing. On August 4, the NCA directed MultiChoice to provide cost build-up details for its Ghana packages as well as for seven other African markets.
When the firm failed to comply, the authority invoked provisions of the Electronic Communications Act, applying daily fines starting from August 14. A suspension notice was also issued on August 7, giving the company a September 6 deadline to respond.
Mr. George disclosed that MultiChoice finally reached out to the ministry and the NCA on September 4, just two days before the suspension deadline, indicating readiness to engage in discussions on pricing.
“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 added.
A joint committee—comprising representatives from the Ministry, the NCA, MultiChoice Ghana, and MultiChoice Africa—has now been established to oversee negotiations on possible tariff reductions. The committee will adopt a model similar to earlier reviews of mobile data charges.
However, despite acknowledging the committee’s formation, MultiChoice has rejected suggestions that it has already agreed to slash DStv subscription prices, maintaining only that it is open to dialogue with regulators.
Source – My News Ghana
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