The Minority in Parliament is addressing the press over the government's decision to merge AT Ghana (formerly AirtelTigo) and Telecel Ghana.

In September, Minister for Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, pledged job security for the staff of the two companies.

Airtel Tigo’s merger with Telecel Ghana has been necessitated due to the former’s current financial crisis. In April this year, the Communications Minister revealed the huge financial losses AT Ghana was incurring and the need for swift action to be carried out to save the dwindling state entity.

He called out the erstwhile government for being “ill-informed, reckless, and unpatriotic” following its symbolic purchasing of Airtel Tigo when it was wallowing in a $400 million debt, which was later downed following the Domestic Debt Restrusturing Programme (DDEP). Sam George lamented the firm's monthly losses of GH₵20 million, describing it as “ …..is failing and obsolete; its systems haven’t been upgraded in five years and are no longer fit for purpose.”

Consequently, having recorded losses of $10 million in just eight months, Sam George stressed that,

“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”.

According to the Minister, the consolidation with Telecel would help reduce costs, eliminate duplication, and build a stronger competitor in Ghana’s highly competitive telecom market. “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, more than 3.2 million AT Ghana subscribers are being seamlessly migrated onto Telecel’s network through a national roaming arrangement, a process the Minister described as “98% smooth.” Sam George explained that the integration process will be carried out in three phases: Technical migration, which is near completion, with roaming already operational. Human resource alignment, which ensures all staff are absorbed by the end of September.

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