Digital TV switch planned for 2026 as GH₵82m duty stalls set-top boxes
By Praisebell Rosemond Larbi
Ghana’s long-awaited transition from analogue to digital television broadcasting is now projected to be completed by the second quarter of 2026, with government pledging to overcome the financial and logistical obstacles that have stalled the process for years.
A key impediment remains the GHS82 million in import duties owed on thousands of set-top boxes currently locked up in warehouses.
These devices are crucial for enabling households to receive digital signals on their existing television sets. Sector stakeholders say the delay in clearing the duties has slowed distribution and frustrated the national migration timetable.
Speaking at the Broadcasting at Crossroads Forum organised by the Africa Media Bureau, Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, Sam Nartey George, expressed optimism that final distribution of the set-top boxes will begin soon.
“My hope is that by the end of Q2 2026 we could have finished those distributions and then announce the digital switch-over,” he stated.
Mr George commended the organisers of the forum for fostering industry dialogue but emphasised that the conversation must yield concrete outcomes.
“We must have some tangibles out of this, so there is going to be a workshop report. The report will not sit on our desk at the Ministry. It is for us to set up a technical working group from the NCA, GIBA, NMC, AMB and other stakeholders to look at the way forward,” he explained.
The Minister disclosed that part of the delay stemmed from policy decisions taken before he assumed office, including the bulk purchase of set-top boxes now incurring significant import duties.
“We have not done the digital switch-over because of some of the things I inherited. There was this purchase of set-top boxes. The boxes are stuck in a warehouse and there are duties in excess of 82 million Ghana cedis. We have figured a way around it. We will do the digital switch-over once these boxes get into the market and the NCA completes all its processes,” he assured.
