The Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations has confirmed that the government is set to merge AT Ghana (formerly AirtelTigo) with Telecel Ghana as part of a strategy to build a stronger, more competitive, and financially sustainable telecom operator.
The announcement was made during a staff engagement session at AT Ghana’s head office in Accra, where sector minister Samuel Nartey George reassured the company’s 300 permanent employees that their jobs would be secured under the new arrangement. “This is not a re-application process. It is simply a continuation of your contracts. Every single employee will be absorbed unless you personally decide to leave,” he assured. Mr. George also emphasized that the merger will protect the interests of AT’s customers, who will not experience service disruptions during the transition.
According to the ministry, the decision was driven by AT Ghana’s difficult financial position. The operator has accumulated losses exceeding $10 million in just the first eight months of this year—losses that have been financed through public funds. “These are taxpayer resources,” the minister explained. “That is money that should be building roads, schools, and water systems. We cannot continue to pump scarce public funds into an operation that is not sustainable.”
The merger, he said, will cut operating costs, eliminate duplication, and create a more resilient telecom market in Ghana. “It makes no sense for two networks to operate separately on the same tower, paying double fees while both struggle. Joining forces is the only smart and sustainable choice,” he noted. Already, more than 3.2 million AT Ghana subscribers have been shifted onto Telecel’s network through a national roaming arrangement, a process the ministry described as “98% successful.”
The full integration will take place in three stages:
Technical migration – nearly complete, with roaming already in effect.
Human resource alignment – ensuring all staff are absorbed before the end of September.
Commercial restructuring – finalizing the business framework for the merged entity.
Mr. George disclosed that sustaining the new operator will require an estimated $600 million in investment over the next four years. He said the government will contribute, partly through revenue from spectrum sales, but called on Telecel and other partners to co-invest in the venture.
Currently, the government owns 100% of AT Ghana and holds a 30% stake in Telecel Ghana. Despite Telecel’s acquisition of Vodafone Ghana last year, both companies continue to face significant debts to vendors and partners. The ministry believes the merger will not only stabilize operations but also position Ghana’s telecom sector for long-term growth and competitiveness.
By Ruth Serwaa Asare