The Minister for Communication, Digital Innovation and Technology, Sam George, has disclosed that government will soon hold consultations with stakeholders to establish a sustainable funding model for Ghana’s Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) transmission network.
The DTT platform, introduced in 2016 under then Minister Edward Omane Boamah, was initially designed with a cost-sharing framework.
Under that plan, television stations were to enjoy free access in the first year, pay 50% of the charges in the second year, 75% in the third year, and eventually bear the full cost.
Speaking at the “Broadcasting at the Crossroads” forum organised by the Africa Media Bureau at the Alisa Hotel on Friday, September 26, 2025, the Minister explained that the arrangement was never fully enforced.
He noted that a previous government’s attempt to introduce fees was contested in court by the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA).
Consequently, the more than 45 stations currently on the platform have not made any contributions toward operations and maintenance for nearly 10 years.
The Minister emphasised that government has been solely responsible for the costs of keeping the platform running, which in effect amounts to subsidising private broadcasters—an approach he said cannot continue.
“The free ride bus is running out of gas, and we need to find a sustainable means of fueling the DTT bus,” he stated.
Sam George further revealed that as demand for slots on the platform grows, government is planning an expansion. Alongside this, it will begin talks with broadcasters on how they can play a role in sustaining the service both operationally and financially.
He added that a stakeholder meeting will soon be convened to agree on a practical cost-sharing formula for maintaining the DTT ecosystem.
Source : Adomonline
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