Consumer rights organization CUTS International is pushing for government intervention in MultiChoice Ghana Limited’s decision to raise subscription fees, arguing that customers were given inadequate notice ahead of the increase.

The revised pricing, set to take effect on April 1, will see an average 15% rise across all packages. MultiChoice Ghana has defended the adjustment, pointing to rising inflation and economic conditions as key factors influencing the change.

However, CUTS International has taken issue with the short timeframe customers were given to adjust. While acknowledging that price increases are normal in a deregulated market, the advocacy group insists that subscribers deserve more time to prepare.

Speaking to Citi Business News, CUTS International’s West African Regional Director, Appiah Kusi Adomako, highlighted MultiChoice’s stronghold on satellite television in Ghana, particularly its exclusive rights to premium sports content.

“DSTV has some kind of dominance when it comes to satellite TV. They have access to premium content like the EPL and the UEFA channel and this has given them some leverage on the market, and other competitors don’t have access to this kind of content. DSTV is trying to abuse its dominant role in the market,” he remarked.

He further called on regulatory bodies to ensure fair treatment for consumers by extending the notice period.

“If it was not having this dominant role, I am not sure it would have done this. I want to ask the Ministry of Communication and Trade to compel DSTV to rescind it on its one-week notice and give Ghanaians a minimum of a month notice as per the terms of a good contract,” Adomako stated.

With just days remaining before the new pricing takes effect, consumers and advocacy groups are watching closely to see if the government will take action.