ACCRA – The Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations has imposed a daily fine of GH₵10,000 on DStv Ghana, a subsidiary of MultiChoice Ghana, for its failure to submit requested pricing information. The penalty, which began on August 14, follows a series of non-compliance issues and a meeting between the Minister of Communication, Samuel Nartey George, and DStv Ghana management. The ministry’s action is rooted in its commitment to ensuring transparency and securing the best possible deals for Ghanaian consumers.
The ministry’s initial request for a detailed breakdown of DStv Ghana’s pricing models was made on August 4, with a submission deadline of August 5. DStv Ghana subsequently requested and was granted an extension to August 11. Despite this act of good faith, during a follow-up meeting on August 14, ministry officials discovered the company had still not provided the required information. This repeated failure to comply with the request is a direct violation of the country’s Electronic Communications Act, which empowers the National Communications Authority (NCA) to regulate and request such data from service providers.
Minister Samuel Nartey George, in a statement, explained that he had initially waived the GH₵10,000 daily fine—as stipulated by the Electronic Communications Act for failure to produce information—from August 5 until the meeting on August 14. However, given the company’s continued non-compliance, the NCA has now been instructed to enforce the daily fine. The penalty will continue to accumulate until the required pricing models are submitted to the regulator.
The minister underscored his unwavering commitment to consumer protection and ensuring fair market practices. The ministry’s demand for the pricing models is a strategic move to enable better decision-making and to regulate the market effectively. The imposition of the fine serves as a clear message that regulatory compliance is non-negotiable and that the government will take decisive action to protect the interests of the Ghanaian people.
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
