Sam George Secures Up to 50% More Value for Ghanaian DStv Subscribers Starting October 1

In a major breakthrough for digital consumer advocacy, Ghana’s Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has successfully negotiated a deal with MultiChoice Africa that will deliver up to 50% more value to DStv subscribers in Ghana—effective October 1, 2025.

Under the new arrangement, subscribers will be automatically upgraded to higher-tier packages at no extra cost. The changes include:

Paid (GH¢59) → upgraded to Access (GH¢99)

Access (GH¢99) → upgraded to Family (GH¢190)

Family (GH¢190) → upgraded to Compact (GH¢380) with access to live football

Compact (GH¢380) → upgraded to Compact Plus (GH¢570)

Compact Plus (GH¢570) → upgraded to Premium (GH¢865)

Premium subscribers will continue enjoying flagship content and qualify for exclusive trips to watch English Premier League matches.

MultiChoice Africa will also subsidize Zapper decoders and dish kits by GH¢555, effectively slashing the cost by half for new customers. This initiative is expected to boost accessibility and expand the subscriber base. “Yet another 50 per cent discount for subscribers,” Sam George emphasized during the announcement.

The agreement follows months of negotiation led by a stakeholder committee chaired by Sam George, involving the National Communications Authority (NCA), MultiChoice Africa, and MultiChoice Ghana. A key focus was addressing cross-border piracy, particularly the illegal importation of Nigerian decoders into Ghana—a practice that undermines local content creation and deprives the state of revenue.

To combat this, a multi-agency taskforce has been formed, comprising:

1.Ministry of Communication

2.NCA

3.Cyber Security Authority

4.Ghana Revenue Authority

5.Ghana Police Service

6.MultiChoice Ghana and Africa

The committee will reconvene in three months to assess the impact of the reforms and ensure that MultiChoice Ghana complies with the agreed terms. Sam George initially pushed for a 30% improvement, but the final deal exceeded expectations, delivering between 33% and 50% more value, depending on the bouquet.

This move sets a precedent for consumer protection in Ghana’s digital economy. It blends regulatory pressure with collaborative reform, signaling that Ghanaian consumers can demand—and receive—better value from multinational service providers.