BY ISSAH OLEGOR
The NDC government is preparing to intensify its fight against pay-TV piracy, with plans to block internet addresses used to distribute television content illegally awaiting final legal clearance from the Attorney-General.
Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, says the technical arrangements for the proposed enforcement measures are ready, but the government wants to ensure that the intervention is legally sound before implementation.
“The real clampdown is about to begin,” the minister declared at a joint press briefing with Canal+ and MultiChoice Ghana on Monday, October 26, signalling a tougher approach towards unauthorised access to pay-TV services.
According to George, the National Communications Authority (NCA) and the Cyber Security Authority have reviewed the proposed framework, which includes blocking internet protocol (IP) addresses linked to illegal streaming activities.
He explained that the government had put the necessary technical mechanisms in place and was now waiting for the Attorney-General’s final approval before proceeding.
“We’ve put in place the mechanism to be able to deal with those ramifications and we just need the AG’s all clear,” he said.
The minister stressed that although the technical preparations had been completed, the government would not rush into implementing the measures without confirming their legal basis.
“Technically we’re good to go, we just want to make sure that we’re legally good,” he added.
George, who was recently called to the Bar, said he had a responsibility to ensure that the planned intervention complied with the law and would not expose the government to avoidable legal challenges.
“I’m also a lawyer, I have no excuse. So let me get the attorney general’s all clear so that I can proceed safely,” he stated.
No specific date has been announced for the rollout, as the government continues to complete the necessary legal processes.
DStv Price Cuts Precede Planned Anti-Piracy Crackdown
The planned enforcement measures come after the government engaged Canal+ and MultiChoice Ghana, operators of DStv, over subscription affordability.
That engagement has resulted in four revised subscription packages scheduled to take effect on November 5, with monthly prices ranging from GH¢50 to GH¢570.
The new packages are intended to provide subscribers with options across different price points, potentially making legitimate access to pay-TV content more affordable.
The government’s approach therefore combines efforts to improve affordability with plans to clamp down on illegal streaming services.
Authorities appear to be seeking to address one of the factors that can push viewers towards unauthorised alternatives while strengthening enforcement against those who distribute or access copyrighted television content illegally.
However, the announcement does not establish that subscription prices alone are responsible for piracy or that the revised packages will automatically eliminate demand for illegal streaming.
Illegal Streaming Services in Government’s Crosshairs
The proposed intervention is expected to target unauthorised access to pay-TV content, including illegal streaming services that distribute television programming without the necessary permission.
Blocking associated IP addresses could disrupt access to some of these services. However, the effectiveness of the strategy will depend on regulators’ ability to identify the relevant infrastructure and sustain enforcement.
The approach could also raise legal and technical questions, making the government’s decision to seek clearance from the Attorney-General a significant step before implementation.
The authorities have not yet provided further details about how the blocking system will operate, the range of services it will target or the procedures that will govern enforcement.
It is also unclear when the Attorney-General’s clearance will be granted and when the measures will officially take effect.
