The Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations has announced plans to merge AT Ghana (formerly AirtelTigo) with Telecel Ghana to establish what it describes as a stronger and more sustainable telecom operator.
The decision, revealed during a staff engagement at AT Ghana’s head office in Accra, comes amid mounting financial challenges for AT, which recorded more than $10 million in losses in just eight months this year.
Sector Minister Samuel Nartey George assured employees that all 300 permanent staff of AT Ghana will be retained 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 stated.
The minister also stressed that customers of AT Ghana will be fully protected during the transition period.
Explaining the rationale behind the merger, Mr. George pointed out that sustaining AT Ghana with public funds was no longer viable.
“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.
According to him, merging AT with Telecel will cut operational costs, remove duplication, and strengthen Ghana’s competitive 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 added.
So far, more than 3.2 million AT Ghana subscribers have been successfully moved onto Telecel’s network under a national roaming agreement, with the ministry reporting a 98% smooth transition.
The full integration will be carried out in three phases:
- Technical migration – almost complete, with national roaming already active.
- Human resource alignment – ensuring all staff are absorbed by the end of September.
- Commercial restructuring – to finalize the framework for the merged operator.
The minister disclosed that the merged entity will require an estimated $600 million over the next four years. The government plans to support the financing through resources, including revenue from spectrum sales, while urging Telecel and its partners to co-invest.
Currently, the government holds 100% ownership of AT Ghana and a 30% stake in Telecel Ghana. Both companies, however, have faced persistent debt challenges with vendors and partners, despite Telecel’s takeover of Vodafone Ghana.
The merger is expected to stabilize the telecom sector, safeguard jobs, and deliver improved services to customers. It also signals a stronger partnership between the state and private investors in building a resilient digital economy.
