The Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, says the National Communications Authority (NCA) still has the mandate to collect fines imposed on MultiChoice Ghana for failing to provide information requested by the regulator.

Briefing the press on Friday, September 5, he explained that the company delayed in submitting a breakdown of its bouquet pricing structure, incurring a penalty of GH¢10,000 per day for 24 days.

“The NCA still has the mandate to ensure that they collect what is due from the fines that we imposed on MultiChoice for the almost 24 days before they provided the information. 10,000 cedis a day, for 24 days,” he said.

• Read also: MultiChoice requested 30 days, but 14 is enough – Sam George on subscription price cuts

The issue relates to pricing concerns and a suspension notice served on MultiChoice Ghana. On August 4, the NCA requested details of the cost build-up for DStv bouquets in Ghana and seven other African countries.

However, the company failed to comply, triggering the daily fine of GH¢10,000 from August 14, in line with the Electronic Communications Act.

The NCA also served a 30-day suspension notice effective August 7, which expires on Saturday, September 6.

Mr George revealed that MultiChoice Ghana, on Thursday, September 4, reached out to the ministry and the regulator, signalling its willingness to comply, just two days before the September 6 deadline of a shutdown.

• Read also: MultiChoice agrees to reduce DSTV fees, pricing committee established – Sam George

“MultiChoice yesterday [Thursday, September 4] reached out to the ministry and the regulator, indicating now the willingness to comply to address the pricing concerns through a consultative process,” he said.

“I believe that we do not need 30 days. Fourteen days is enough for us to reach this decision, inclusive of weekends.”

As a result, a stakeholder committee has been established comprising the Ministry, the NCA, MultiChoice Ghana and MultiChoice Africa.

• Read also: Gov’t slaps DStv with GH¢10,000 daily fine over pricing data delay

The committee will lead negotiations on subscription reductions, following the consultative approach adopted during the data pricing review with mobile network operators.