Ghanas National Communications Authority NCA has served MultiChoice Ghana a notice of its intention to suspend its DStv licence in a row over subscription fees.
MultiChoice Ghana is a partnership between South Africas MultiChoice Group and local businessman Richard Darko established in 1993.
It holds an NCA authorisation to run a subscription management service for its five DStv and three GOtv packages.
MultiChoices DStv could be suspended in GhanaGhanas Communications and Digitalisation Minister, Samuel Nartey George, issued a seven-day ultimatum to the company on 1 August to reduce its subscription fees by 30 percent or face suspension.
The ultimatum lapsed on Thursday, 7 August, prompting NCA to issue the suspension notice.
This regulatory action is subsequent upon the companys pricing model which is deemed inimical to the public interest, NCA said in a statement.
By this notice, MultiChoice Ghana has 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.
According to local publication Pulse , George has criticised the substantial price difference between Ghana and neighbouring Nigeria for DStvs Premium package. It reportedly costs 83 around R1,473 in Ghana and R29 R514 in Nigeria.
The Minister also cited the recent appreciation of the Ghanaian currency cedi against the US dollar.
However, MultiChoice Ghana argues that the proposed price reduction is unrealistic. Price changes must also take into account the costs of delivering quality services and ensuring customer satisfaction, it adds.