The Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations has confirmed plans to merge AT Ghana (formerly AirtelTigo) with Telecel Ghana in a bid to create a more resilient and competitive telecommunications company.
At a staff engagement session at AT Ghana’s head office in Accra, sector minister Samuel Nartey George assured workers that all 300 permanent employees of AT will keep 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 emphasised.
Mr. George also noted that the interest of AT subscribers would be safeguarded throughout the transition period.
The decision to merge follows mounting financial pressure on AT Ghana, which recorded over $10 million in losses within the first eight months of the year. The minister cautioned that continued reliance on public funds to sustain the operator was untenable.
“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.
He added that the merger would help cut costs, eliminate duplication, and create a stronger player in Ghana’s telecom sector.
“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 stressed.
So far, more than 3.2 million AT subscribers have already been migrated onto Telecel’s network under a national roaming agreement, which the ministry described as 98 percent successful.
The merger will be rolled out in three phases:
- Technical migration – almost complete, with roaming already operational.
- Human resource alignment – ensuring all staff are absorbed before the end of September.
- Commercial restructuring – expected within 120 days to set the framework for the new operator.
The minister further disclosed that the new entity will require an investment of $600 million over the next four years. Funding will come from government resources, including spectrum sales, as well as co-investments from Telecel and other partners.
Currently, the government owns 100 percent of AT Ghana and holds a 30 percent stake in Telecel Ghana. Both companies have faced debt challenges despite Telecel’s takeover of Vodafone Ghana.
