The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has engaged broadcasters on efforts to develop a sustainable cost-sharing framework for Ghana’s Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) platform.
The stakeholder meeting, held on Thursday in Accra, focused on proposals for channel carriage pricing and measures to ensure the long-term sustainability of the country’s digital broadcasting infrastructure.
Addressing participants, Mr. George reaffirmed the government’s commitment to a transparent and consultative process, stressing that decisions on the introduction of fees would be taken in collaboration with industry players.
According to the Minister, while the implementation of carriage fees is necessary to sustain the DTT platform, the government remains committed to ensuring fairness and practicality in the pricing model adopted.
He noted that Ghana’s DTT infrastructure has operated for several years without achieving meaningful cost recovery, creating the need for a clear financial sustainability plan.
Mr. George explained that the proposals presented at the meeting were intended to guide discussions and accelerate consensus-building among stakeholders, adding that broadcasters had been given timelines to review the proposals and submit their inputs.
The Minister clarified that the government would take a policy position on major structural issues, including the management of shared infrastructure and cost obligations, in the broader national interest.
He emphasised that the DTT platform should not yet be viewed as a profit-making venture but rather as a critical national infrastructure that requires collective industry support to remain operational and effective.
Broadcasters at the meeting welcomed the engagement and called for deeper consultations and greater clarity in the development of the pricing framework.
They stressed the importance of transparency and inclusiveness in the process and cautioned against decisions that could be perceived as predetermined without adequate stakeholder participation.
Participants touched on the role of the DTT platform in their operations, noting that its sustainability is essential for the survival and growth of Ghana’s broadcasting industry.
Judith Twumwaa, ISD
