Several DSTv subscribers in the Keta Municipality of the Volta Region have expressed their dissatisfaction and frustration over the recent fee adjustment promise made by Mr Sam George Nartey, the Minister of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations.
They said despite the Minister’s assurance that the new pricing structure would bring relief to households, many subscribers felt that the sudden change in the situation fell short of their expectations.
Mr Caesar Felix Dotsey, a domestic DStv subscriber, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, said that the Minister had announced a landmark agreement with MultiChoice Ghana, the operators of DSTv, which introduced a new pricing and content structure expected to take effect on Wednesday, October 1, 2025.
“I am highly disappointed at the turn of events; the Minister was full of enthusiasm when promised to solve the high cost of DStv subscription. What went wrong then, he didn’t meet my expectation,” he said.
He explained that many subscribers have expressed their dissatisfaction with the pricing structure, which they claimed does not provided any meaningful relief, and added that in the new arrangement, subscribers would not see direct price reductions but would receive more content at current or slightly adjusted rates.
He said the move has led to widespread criticism, with many feeling that the changes were more about increasing the value proposition for the company than genuinely reducing costs for consumers.
“I don’t see how adding more channels without reducing the prices is going to help us. We are still paying the same amount, and some of us can’t even afford the current packages, this is a total disappointment.”
“The Minister indicated a reduction in rates and that was our expectation, as he the additional channels, how many can be watched at the same time.?
Another client of DStv, Yao Akpalu, said the posturing of the Minister was reduction in price from his Compact bouquet, which is GHC380, and the bargain should come with lower price than what pertains.
He said the controversy surrounding the fee adjustment has sparked a heated debate with many calling for the government to intervene and ensure that the needs of consumers were met, while some have even suggested that the government should consider regulating the prices of DSTv subscriptions to prevent what they see as exploitation by the company.
Mr Samuel Nartey George stated that the restructured packages would provide relief to households and improve customer experience. However, many subscribers remain unconvinced, arguing that the changes do not go far enough to address the issue of affordability.
GNA gathered that with the new packaging arrangements, Padi Bouquet (GH₵ 99) upgrades to Access with 35 additional channels (40 per cent savings), Access Bouquet (GH₵ 190): upgrades to Family with 19 more channels (48 per cent savings).
Family Package (GH₵ 380): upgraded to Compact with 22 additional channels, including live football (50 per cent savings), Compact Package (GH₵ 570): upgraded to Compact Plus with 12 extra channels (33 per cent savings), Compact Plus Package (GH₵ 865): upgraded to Premium with 18 more channels (34 per cent savings).
Additionally, new customers will benefit from a GH₵ 555 subsidies on Zap decoder and dish kits according to sources available to GNA.
Other subscribers GNA engaged were bracing themselves for what they perceived as another financial blow while some were wondering how they will manage to afford the new packages, especially given the current economic condition.
Their frustration and disappointment were palpable, with some subscribers even threatening to cancel their subscriptions if the prices do not come down.
The development has also raised questions about the effectiveness of the government’s negotiations with MultiChoice Ghana with others wondering whether the government was truly advocating for the interests of consumers or simply rubber-stamping the company’s proposals.
In the meantime, subscribers were advised to review the new pricing structure carefully and make informed decisions about their subscriptions and those, who felt that the change do not met their needs may want to consider exploring alternative options or voicing their concerns to the relevant authorities.