Gov’t Moves to Merge Telecel Ghana and AT Ghana to Stem Losses, Protect Jobs
The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has disclosed that government is working to merge Telecel Ghana and AT Ghana into a single entity as part of efforts to sustain their operations and enhance competitiveness in the telecom sector.
Speaking during a staff engagement at AT Ghana’s Head Office in Accra, Mr. George assured the company’s 300 permanent workers that their jobs would be secured under the new entity.
“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 stressed, adding that customers of AT Ghana would also be fully protected.
Government currently owns 100% of AT Ghana and a 30% stake in Telecel Ghana. Both telcos have been saddled with debts to vendors and partners over the years, despite Telecel’s acquisition of Vodafone Ghana.
Mr. George revealed that AT Ghana alone has recorded losses of over US$10 million within the first eight months of this year, losses that have been covered by the state.
“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.
He further explained that consolidation would help cut costs, eliminate duplication, and create a stronger competitor in Ghana’s 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 emphasised.
Already, more than 3.2 million AT subscribers are being migrated seamlessly onto Telecel’s network under a national roaming arrangement, a process the Minister described as “98% smooth.”
The integration will be executed in three phases: technical migration (nearly complete), human resource alignment (ensuring all staff are absorbed before the end of September), and commercial restructuring (to be finalised within 120 days).
On financing, Mr. George indicated that sustaining the new operator will require US$600 million over the next four years. He disclosed that government will contribute resources, including proceeds from spectrum sales, while calling on Telecel and other partners to co-invest.
