The Consumer Protection Agency (CPA) has called on Ghanaian subscribers to take a stand against rising subscription fees by switching off their DSTV and GOTV services in protest.
Chief Executive Officer of CPA, Kofi Kapito, at a press briefing on Wednesday, August 27 said it’s time MultiChoice, the parent company of both platforms, listens to the concerns of the very customers who sustain its business.
“All DSTV subscribers in Ghana are unhappy with the high cost of subscriptions. We’ve received countless complaints over the years. We’re now saying: hashtag Switch Your DSTV and GOTV Off. If the cost of doing business is too high, and they’ve refused to listen for years, then it’s time to act,” Kapito stated.
Kapito believes that even a modest reduction in subscription fees would go a long way in restoring public trust and satisfaction. He emphasized that consumers have the power to influence change through collective action.
“By switching off our subscriptions, we’re sending a clear message: enough is enough. MultiChoice needs to listen to the very people who make their business profitable,” he said.
While Kapito did not specify the percentage by which prices should be reduced, he stressed that any meaningful adjustment would be welcomed by subscribers.
“We’re not dictating the numbers, they know their business model. But any reduction will go a long way to please subscribers. Until then, we urge Ghanaians to switch off in protest.”
Kapito also commented on recent government efforts to penalize MultiChoice, including a daily fine of GHC10,000. While he acknowledged the move, he argued that it’s not enough to compel real change.
“If the company is making GHC1 million a day, and you fine them GHC10,000, they’re still walking away with GHC990,000. That’s not punitive enough. A consumer-led boycott will have a stronger impact.”
The CPA’s campaign is gaining traction online, with the hashtag #SwitchOffDSTVGoTV circulating across social media platforms.
Meanwhile, the National Communications Authority (NCA) has officially notified Multichoice Ghana Limited of its intention to suspend the company’s license to operate its Subscription Management Service for Satellite Television Broadcasting (Pay TV Direct-to-Home Bouquet).
NCA was ordered by the Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George to suspend Multichoice Ghana’s license by August 8, 2025 after the company refused to adhere to a request to slash DStv subscription fees by 30%.
In a statement issued on Thursday, August 7, 2025, the NCA provided a 30-day ultimatum to Multichoice Ghana to present a written statement detailing why it objects to the suspension or provide a remedial action.
“By this notice, Multichoice Ghana has thirty (30) days within which the company may present its views, or provide remedial action, and submit a written statement of its objections to the suspension of the authorisation,” NCA said.
NCA said the regulatory action is subsequent upon the company’s pricing model which the Authority deemed “inimical to the public interest”. It added that the suspension of authorisation is pursuant to Section 13 of the Electronic Communications Act. 2008 (Act 775).
By Beatrice Sowah
