Television broadcasters operating on Ghana’s National Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) platform are set to enter a new cost-sharing arrangement from January 2027 as the government moves to make the system financially sustainable.
Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations Minister Samuel Nartey George announced the planned changes during the Government Accountability Series on Monday, September 7, 2026.
The revised framework follows a review of the national DTT platform and recommendations from a committee established to examine how the infrastructure could be funded more sustainably.
Under the existing arrangement, the subsidised national tariff is US$7,000 per channel per month. The government’s new approach is expected to introduce a graduated tariff-support mechanism alongside the existing subsidy, with the aim of gradually increasing broadcasters’ contribution while maintaining support for qualifying stations.
Explaining the decision, Sam George said the committee had been tasked with finding a model that would reduce the long-term financial burden on the state without undermining access to digital television services.
“I set up a committee, and that committee has recommended a sustainable cost-sharing framework and a graduated tariff support mechanism to complement the subsidised national tariff, which will see all TV stations on our DTT platform pay US$7,000 per month during the initial implementation years in a graduated manner.”
The minister said the framework is intended to strike a balance between the cost of maintaining Ghana’s national digital television infrastructure and the need to keep broadcasting services accessible to the public.
The new arrangement is scheduled to take effect in January 2027, although further details on how the graduated support system will determine the actual payments of individual broadcasters are expected to be announced ahead of implementation.
Government reviews 15 ICT laws
The DTT announcement formed part of a wider update on reforms within Ghana’s digital and communications sector.
Sam George disclosed that the government is reviewing 15 pieces of legislation covering various areas of information and communications technology.
According to the minister, roughly half of the review has been completed, while stakeholder consultations have concluded on 10 priority bills.
Among the laws under review are the Data Harmonisation Bill, Cybersecurity Authority Bill, Ghana Innovation and Startup Bill and the National Communications Authority Bill.
The legislative review is aimed at updating Ghana’s regulatory framework to reflect changes in the technology sector and emerging demands within the country’s digital economy.
Sources: Citi Newsroom | MyJoyOnline
