Broadcasting
Lack for Funding Hobbles Digital Switch Over
The implementation of the Digital Switch Over (DSO) from analogue television broadcasts in the country has been hobbled by the non-release of funding by the federal government to the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
This is despite the many advantages of the Digital Switch Over including increased revenue generation to the federal government as well as allowing the consumer to choose from multiple methods of receiving television signals at multiple resolutions through a variety of media.
According to Mr. Salihu Bamidele, leader of NBC team, while inspecting facilities at Gospell Digital Technology (GDT) factory at Calabar Free Trade Zone in Calabar, Cross Rivers State, lack of funding has slowed down the DSO.
“We have done six states and there are more to it. There are some funds to pay some people who have worked before they can do more into it. There are other administrative paper works to be done which we are battling with.
“But as soon as we are able to sort that out as a regulator, it does not take anything for us to release the timetable because we know that by now, we are far behind. I appeal to the operators to work together as a team. Satellite providers have to come together and let us have one voice. They have all to be on the same page and that is part of the delay. The differences we have are administrative differences.”
On when the DSO will take off fully with all the television stations in the country, he further said: “We cannot give any assurance because it involves funds and the NBC does not have the funds and that is why we are appealing to the Federal Government to yield to NBC’s demand so that they can get this thing done. We do not have the money. The money is in billions.
“The white paper is the guideline that guides the operations of the DSO. So, we are trying to make sure that the Act establishing the NBC is reviewed so as to give it a legislative backing. Now, what we have is just the white paper, which is the guideline we are working with. So, you can see all kinds of bottlenecks here and there. But if we are on the same page with the press and everybody, we can get this thing done easily. We don’t have legislation”.
The leader of the NBC team had declined to disclose the total figure they needed for full take off but Sir Godfrey Ohuabunwa, group managing director of GDT, put the total figure NBC needs at N45 billion and only N15 billion had been approved but not released yet.
Ohuabunwa charged the Federal Government to expedite action in the release of funds to management of NBC for take off of DSO and the release of a specific time-table that will unveil the commission’s plan regarding switch over from analog to digital broadcasting.
He warned that if the Federal Government and the NBC continue to delay the full take off of the DSO, his company alone risks the chance of “losing a total amount of $50 million given the amount of efforts invested in the project” so far.
National Communications Authority (NCA) has announced that Multichoice Ghana has agreed with the directive from the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations for the establishment of a stakeholder committee to evaluate DSTV pricing in Ghana.
In a statement issued on Sunday, September 7, 2025 NCA said Multichoice Ghana has also expressed its intention to fully participate in the engagement by the Committee.
NCA noted in its statement that Multichoice Ghana’s agreement comes after further engagements with the company regarding its public statement dated September 5, 2025 in which Multichoice Ghana claimed that it has not agreed to a price reduction in DStv subscription.
NCA said the outcome of the stakeholder committee would be determined at the end of its work.
The first meeting of the Stakeholder Committee will take place on Monday, September 8, 2025.
According to the statement, MultiChoice has “confirmed that it will respect due process and the laws of Ghana and its people.”
It can be recalled that the NCA officially wrote to Multichoice Ghana for a response on the directive by the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations for a suspension of its authorisation and requested DStv to submit its pricing model.
NCA said it has received response from Multichoice Ghana to the notice of intention to suspend their authorisation and request for their pricing model.
The Authority noted that it will provide further updates on the matter in due course.
Sam Goegre held a press conference in Accra on Friday, September 5, where he said the company has written to the Ministry for further discussions on the reduction plan.
“Multichoice has finally agreed to reduce their prices; now they want us to discuss the level of reduction,” the Minister said.
“They realised that Ghanaians fully backed the ministry, the NPP has endorsed it, the NDC has endorsed, Ghanaians are simply saying we won’t pay these exorbitant fees again,” he said when asked a question about the timing of MultiChoice’s decision to reduce the prices which comes just 48 hours to the deadline the government gave to them to comply with the order to reduce the prices.
But reacting to Sam George’s statement, Multichoice Ghana said in a statement that “We have noted the statement made by the Minister for Communications Technology and Innovation, Hon. Samuel Nartey George.
“We continue to engage with the Minister in a bid to find an amicable solution that is beneficial for all parties involved, but does not jeopardise the viability of the DStv service.
We will fully participate in the established Working Committee. However, we wish to clarify that MultiChoice Group has not agreed to a price reduction,” a statement they issued said.
This necessitated a further engagement by NCA with the company after which Multichoice Ghana has accepted to take part in the stakeholder committee to evaluate DStv pricing and respect the laws of the country.
Prior to the press conference, Sam George had issued a September 6 deadline to suspend the license of MultiChoice Ghana should they fail to reduce subscription prices.
The Ghanaian government has 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.
Samuel George, communications minister, delivered the stark warning during the Digital Africa Summit in Accra, declaring that the DStv operator must comply with government demands for fairer pricing that reflects Ghana’s improving economic conditions.
“They have up to the 6th of September. If by that time there is no resolution, we will shut down the operations of MultiChoice,” George stated.
“No corporate entity is above the collective interest of the Ghanaian people.”
The confrontation stems from the government’s request two months ago for a 30% reduction in subscription fees, citing reduced inflation and stabilizing economic conditions.
MultiChoice Ghana has reportedly resisted the directive, prompting increasingly aggressive regulatory action.
The National Communications Authority (NCA) has already imposed fines between GH¢150,000 and GH¢170,000 on MultiChoice for failing to submit mandatory pricing data required under the Electronic Communications Act. The minister confirmed that authorities are prepared to collect these outstanding penalties.
George announced that officials will conduct a final meeting with MultiChoice representatives Thursday, after which the government plans to take decisive action if no agreement is reached.
The minister framed the dispute as a matter of consumer protection and economic fairness.
“This is about fairness and accountability. Ghanaians deserve to benefit from the improving economy through affordable digital services,” he emphasized.
Ghana’s inflation rate has declined significantly from 23.8% in December 2024 to 11.5% in August 2025, while the cedi has shown increased stability. Government officials argue that these improved economic conditions should translate into lower subscription costs for consumers.
The standoff represents one of the most serious regulatory challenges facing MultiChoice’s West African operations, with potential implications for the company’s broader regional strategy.
A shutdown would affect thousands of subscribers across Ghana who rely on DStv for entertainment and news content.
MultiChoice operates as a dominant pay-television provider in Ghana’s market, making any potential service disruption particularly significant for consumers who have limited alternative options for premium television content.
The dispute highlights broader tensions between multinational corporations and African governments over pricing strategies and consumer protection policies in improving economic environments.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the reinstatement of Mr Salihu Abdullahi Dembos as director-general, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).
The directive was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
Onanuga explained that Dembos, who briefly vacated the position following management changes at the agency, was appointed by President Tinubu in October 2023 and will now return to complete his three-year tenure.
Also recalled is Mr Ayo Adewuyi, executive director of News, who was appointed in 2024. He is to serve out his tenure, which runs until 2027.
According to Onanuga, the directive nullifies the earlier appointments of a new director-general, executive director of news, executive director of marketing, and managing director of NTA Enterprises.
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