The Minority in Parliament has expressed deep concern over the proposed takeover of AT (formerly AirtelTigo) by Telecel, accusing the Minister of Communications and Digitalisation, Samuel George, of rejecting a more lucrative investment bid from Rektron/Afritel worth US$150 million.
At a press briefing on Wednesday, October 15, Ranking Member on the Communications Committee, Matthew Nyindam, described the minister’s actions as “secretive, inconsistent, and self-serving,” warning that the deal could compromise Ghana’s digital sovereignty and lead to the collapse of the state-owned telecom company.
“The minister’s management of this transaction lacks transparency and direction. It risks handing over a critical national asset to a foreign private entity without accountability,” Nyindam stated.
According to the Minority, Rektron/Afritel’s proposal offered far greater value than the current Telecel arrangement. The offer reportedly included a US$150 million capital injection and a long-term investment plan of up to US$1 billion to expand AT’s infrastructure, upgrade its 4G and 5G capacity, and boost local participation in the telecom industry.
In contrast, the Telecel deal is valued at only US$50 million — a move the Minority says “defies logic.”
“How do you reject a US$150 million proposal backed by a billion-dollar expansion plan for a US$50 million offer?” Nyindam questioned.
The Minority also accused the Minister of causing financial losses to AT through mismanagement and non-payment of obligations. They alleged that the Ministry failed to honor a US$5 million payment to the American Tower Company (ATC), resulting in service disruptions and revenue losses.
“Several tower sites were shut down in September due to non-payment, forcing AT customers to roam on Telecel’s network and costing AT nearly GH¢7 million in lost revenue,” Nyindam claimed.
The group further alleged that after engaging Rektron/Afritel and appointing KPMG as transaction advisors, the Minister abruptly shifted to a Telecel merger plan without explanation or consultation. They also questioned the deletion of official merger announcements from the Ministry’s and Telecel’s social media pages following public criticism.
“The secrecy and confusion around this deal raise legitimate concerns about what the minister is hiding,” they added.
The Minority cited Telecel’s past record as worrisome, claiming that the company failed to meet its US$500 million investment promise after acquiring Vodafone Ghana and is currently facing debts of over US$400 million.
Calling the proposed merger “technically and financially reckless,” the group warned it would undermine competition, risk over 10,000 jobs, and destroy value within Ghana’s telecom sector.
“AT is not just another company—it is a strategic national asset that must be protected from opaque foreign takeovers,” the Minority concluded, calling for a full parliamentary probe and suspension of the Telecel deal.
