According to the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations, the government is getting ready to combine AT Ghana (formerly AirtelTigo) with Telecel Ghana in an attempt to create a more reliable and sustainable telecom operator.
During a staff engagement at the company’s head office in Accra, Minister Samuel Nartey George (MP) assured all 300 permanent employees of AT Ghana that their jobs would be safe under the new structure.
“This is not a re-application process. It is a continuation of your contracts. Everyone of you will be absorbed, unless you personally choose to leave,” he stressed.
The Minister underlined that AT customers’ interests will be completely safeguarded throughout the transition.
The Ministry claims that AT’s unstable financial situation—the firm lost over $10 million in just eight months this year—is the driving force behind the merger. Mr. George pointed out that it was unsustainable to keep using taxpayer funds to cover these losses.
“These losses are funded by taxpayers. That is money that should be building roads, water systems, and schools. We cannot keep pouring public funds into unsustainable operations,” he said.
The merger of AT and Telecel, the Minister added, will reduce expenses, get rid of redundancy, and make Ghana’s telecom market more competitive.
“It makes no sense for two networks to operate separately on the same tower, both paying twice while both struggle. A merger is the smart and sustainable choice,” he added.
Already, over 3.2 million AT subscribers have been migrated onto Telecel’s network through a national roaming arrangement, which the Ministry described as “98% smooth.”
The integration process will unfold in three phases according to the ministry:
- Technical migration – nearly complete, with roaming already operational.
- Human resource alignment – ensuring all staff are absorbed before the end of September.
- Commercial restructuring – to be finalized shortly, establishing the framework for the merged entity.
On financing, the sector minister revealed that sustaining the new operator would require $600 million over the next four years. He confirmed that the government will inject resources, including proceeds from spectrum sales, while also inviting Telecel and other partners to co-invest.
Currently, 30% of Telecel Ghana and 100% of AT Ghana are owned by the government. Both businesses have had trouble paying off obligations to partners and suppliers, even after Telecel bought Vodafone Ghana.
NKONKONSA.com
