Accra, October 15, 2024 — The Minority Caucus in Parliament has made a strong appeal to President John Dramani Mahama to intervene in what it describes as an “unlawful and opaque” attempt by the Minister of Communications and Digitalisation, Hon. Samuel George, to dispose of Ghana’s only wholly-owned telecom company, AirtelTigo (AT).
At a press conference in Parliament led by the Ranking on the Information and Communications Committee, Matthew Nyindam, the Minority said President Mahama must act swiftly to halt what they view as a reckless and secretive process to sell or merge AT with Telecel Ghana. They warned that the move, if allowed to proceed, could destroy a strategic national asset, threaten thousands of jobs, and erode Ghana’s digital sovereignty.
“We are calling on His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama to rein in his Minister of Communications to focus on making AT work rather than hastily trying to dispose of it,” the Minority said. “This is not just about a company; it’s about protecting a national institution that has served Ghana diligently and remains critical to our digital future.”
Background
The Caucus recounted that the Government of Ghana acquired 100 percent ownership of AT in 2021 for one dollar ($1) to protect jobs and sustain competition in the telecom industry after Airtel and Tigo decided to exit the Ghanaian market. The acquisition, they noted, safeguarded over 500 direct jobs and the interests of more than five million subscribers.
However, the Minority accused the current Minister of engaging in inconsistent decision-making and questionable negotiations that have left AT “in a state of confusion and decline.” They cited the minister’s abrupt shift from a proposed partnership with Afritel/Rektron—which had pledged an initial $150 million investment and up to $1 billion over five years—to a new deal with Telecel, which they claim lacks the financial and technical capacity to revive AT.
Concerns Over Telecel Deal
The Minority contends that the proposed merger or sale to Telecel is not in the national interest, describing it as “an unholy alliance” that could hand over a valuable state asset to private foreign hands without transparency or parliamentary scrutiny.
They further alleged possible conflict of interest, citing “questionable lobbying and political influence” surrounding the deal, including Telecel’s sponsorship of events linked to the Minister’s constituency.
Call for Investigation and Transparency
The Minority called for a comprehensive investigation into the proposed deal, demanding full disclosure of all agreements, correspondence, and reports—including findings from KPMG, the transaction advisor, and legal advice from the Attorney General’s Department.
They also warned Telecel that any company acquiring state assets through non-transparent means would face “future review, reversal, and possible legal action” under an NPP-led administration.
Safeguarding AT’s Future
The Caucus emphasized that AT remains a strategic national asset that must be preserved to protect local jobs, sustain competition in the telecom sector, and ensure Ghana’s continued control over critical digital infrastructure.
“The people of Ghana will not forgive any government that allows such a vital national asset to be handed over under questionable circumstances. We expect President Mahama to act decisively to protect AT and the thousands of jobs it supports,” the Minority stressed.
Key Demands
The Minority Caucus is calling for: An immediate stop to the ongoing consolidation or merger of AT with Telecel; A full parliamentary inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the proposed transaction; Public disclosure of all documents related to the sale or merger; Settlement of AT’s debts with the American Tower Company (ATC) to stabilize operations.
The Caucus concluded by urging the President to prioritize transparency and accountability in the handling of state-owned enterprises, stressing that AT’s future “must not be mortgaged for private or political gain.”
