Broadcasting
Reps Query NTA over Under 17 World Cup Contract
Musa Usman Magawatta, director general, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), has come under the hammer of federal lawmakers who have queried the DG for allegedly ignoring due process in awarding contracts for the upgrading of equipment in preparation for the FIFA under 17 World Cup hosted by Nigeria last October.
The House Committee on Information and National Orientation during the budget defence session with management of NTA described the contract award as breaching the 1999 Constitution and the 2009 Appropriation Act, because it was done without inputs from the National Assembly.
Magawatta had in his presentation, told lawmakers that the management of NTA obtained the permission of the federal executive council [FEC] in the wake of preparations for the tournament to pay 8.2 billion naira, representing 15 percent of the entire contract sum from its internally generated revenue [IGR].
In his response, Mustapha Habeeb, acting chairman of the Committee, said that he is amazed how NTA was able to cajole Professor Dora Akunyili, minister of Information and Communications, and FEC to approve the payment without recourse to the National Assembly, pointing out that the money spent was an extra-budgetary expenditure, which should have gotten the approval of the federal legislature.
In his words,” not only that NTA was operating in breach of the laws by not remitting its IGRs into the Consolidated Revenue Fund, or the Federation Account as required, he said the Authority has also been indicted in a yet to be debated report of the House Committee on Finance of also not remitting its value added tax [VAT], and the pay as you earn [PAYE] tax deductions from employees into government coffers. “
The DG in his submissions explained that the contract to upgrade NTA’s equipment from standard to high definition status in preparation for the FIFA organized tournament was borne out of the challenges to meet up the time.
He said after paying the initial 15 percent, the balance was however negotiated to be paid in a quarterly installment of 930 million Naira, spread across the next two years through the debt management office [DMO], adding that NTA plans to pay DMO from its IGRs in the ten years.
Defending the reason behind spending of IGRs by the Management of NTA, Magawatta explained that the Authority has been spending huge sum in its drive to commission new stations across the country, saying that the agency ought to have been commended based on its social responsibility services, as according to him, the National Assembly alone takes a lot of its air time, and for free.
He told the committee that what was usually allocated to NTA by the federal government in its budget were for overheads and personnel costs, adding that NTA pay 1.9 million dollars annually for satellite services, and also have to provide equipment, including cameras, vehicles and outside broadcast [OB] vans for its successful day to day transmission.
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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