The Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations has announced plans to merge AT Ghana (formerly AirtelTigo) with Telecel Ghana to form what it says will be a stronger and more resilient telecommunications company.
This follows a staff durbar held at AT Ghana’s head office in Accra. The Sector Minister, Samuel Nartey George, assured workers that the exercise would not result in job losses.
“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 said.
Mr. George further pledged that the interests of AT Ghana customers would be safeguarded throughout the transition.
The ministry explained that the move was necessitated by AT Ghana’s financial challenges, revealing that the operator had incurred losses exceeding $10 million within just the first eight months of this year. The minister stressed that continued state funding of the company was unsustainable.
“These losses are covered by taxpayers’ money. That is revenue that should be going into roads, schools, and water systems. We cannot keep using public funds to support an operation that cannot sustain itself,” he said.
According to him, the merger is expected to lower costs, eliminate duplication, and enhance efficiency in the telecom sector.
“It is impractical for two operators to run separately on the same tower and both pay double while struggling. A merger is the smart and sustainable option,” he argued.
Already, more than 3.2 million AT Ghana subscribers have been integrated onto Telecel’s platform under a national roaming arrangement, which the ministry said has been 98% successful.
The merger will be implemented in three phases:
- Technical migration – nearly completed, with roaming already operational.
- Human resource alignment – ensuring all staff are absorbed by the end of September.
- Commercial restructuring – establishing the business framework for the merged entity.
On funding, the minister disclosed that the new operator will require an estimated $600 million over the next four years. The government intends to support the process with proceeds from spectrum sales while urging Telecel and other partners to contribute additional investment.
Currently, the state owns 100% of AT Ghana and holds a 30% stake in Telecel Ghana. Both operators continue to grapple with debts to suppliers and partners despite Telecel’s acquisition of Vodafone Ghana.
Share this post;
Source:Lovinghananews.com
Thanks for reading from Lovin ghana news as a news publishing website from Ghana. You are free to share this story via the various social media platforms and follow us on; Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, WhatsApp Instagram YouTube etc.
