Minister for Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, says the government will proceed with plans to shut down MultiChoice Ghana’s DStv operations on Saturday if the company fails to begin talks on lowering its subscription prices.

The warning follows MultiChoice Ghana’s denial that it had agreed to reduce prices, despite the government’s announcement of a joint committee aimed at recommending a strategy for potential price cuts.

In a statement issued on Friday, the South African-owned pay-TV operator said it remained open to dialogue but insisted that no agreement had been reached regarding fee reductions.

Earlier in the day, Minister George had revealed that a five-member committee – including representatives from the ministry, the National Communications Authority (NCA), MultiChoice Ghana, and MultiChoice Africa – had been set up to explore options for price reduction.

Responding to MultiChoice’s statement, Mr George said on Facebook that the company had initially expressed willingness to engage and had requested that enforcement actions be temporarily suspended. But if that position has changed, he said, the government will be left with no option but to act.

“Let me be clear,” he wrote. “I have no intention to continue tolerating the disrespect to Ghanaians by DStv. If MultiChoice is not interested, as they claim in their last statement, in discussing a reduction in prices as they had indicated to me, we would proceed to effect the shutdown tomorrow as indicated.”

He emphasised that no company is above the law and urged MultiChoice to return to the negotiation table if it is serious about addressing the pricing concerns.

“Until then, there is nothing for us to meet over. The NCA would carry out enforcement,” he added.

The dispute has escalated over the past few weeks. MultiChoice is currently facing a daily regulatory fine of GH¢10,000 for failing to submit required pricing data, in accordance with the Electronic Communications Act.

The Ministry has also warned that DStv’s licence could be suspended if price reductions are not made by 6 September.

Mr George reiterated that Ghana remains open to investment but added that all companies operating in the country must comply with its laws and respect regulatory authorities.