The Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations has announced plans to merge AT Ghana, formerly AirtelTigo, with Telecel Ghana in a bid to create what it described as a stronger and more sustainable telecom operator.
Speaking at a staff engagement at AT Ghana’s head office in Accra, sector minister Samuel Nartey George assured employees that none of the 300 permanent staff would lose their jobs under the new arrangement.
“This is not a re-application process. It is a continuation of your contracts. Every one of you will be absorbed, unless you personally choose to leave,” he said.
He further assured customers that their interests would be protected throughout the transition.
According to the ministry, the merger decision was driven by AT Ghana’s fragile financial position, with the operator recording losses of over $10 million within the first eight months of this year. Mr George stressed that the government could not continue to fund the company’s operations indefinitely.
“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 explained.
The minister said the merger would help reduce costs, eliminate duplication, and strengthen Ghana’s telecoms 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.
So far, more than 3.2 million AT subscribers have already been integrated into Telecel’s network under a national roaming agreement, which the ministry said had been 98% smooth.
The full integration will take place in three phases, beginning with the technical migration, which is nearly complete, followed by human resource alignment to ensure all staff are absorbed by the end of September, and concluding with commercial restructuring to establish the framework for the merged operator.
On financing, Mr George disclosed that the new entity will require $600 million over the next four years.
He said the government would provide resources, including revenue from spectrum sales, but called on Telecel and other partners to co-invest. Currently, the government holds full ownership of AT Ghana and a 30% stake in Telecel Ghana.
Both companies have been grappling with debts to vendors and partners despite Telecel’s recent takeover of Vodafone Ghana.
