Matthew Nyindam, Ranking Member on Parliament’s Communications Committee
The Minority Caucus of Parliament has expressed serious concern over the ongoing handling of AT, the wholly Ghanaian-owned telecommunications company formerly known as AirtelTigo, by the government.
Addressing a press conference in Accra on Wednesday, the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Communications Committee, Matthew Nyindam, accused the Ministry of Communications and its leadership of endangering the sector, undermining corporate governance, and jeopardizing the future of a national asset.
The Minority Caucus noted that while they had previously refrained from public statements due to the capital-intensive nature of the telecommunications sector, the conduct of the current Minister of Communications, Samuel George, over the past six months “had put the industry in jeopardy and has particularly diminished the value of the only wholly Ghanaian owned telecommunication company, AT.”
Telecom chaos
The Minority claimed that the minister’s pronouncements had “caused chaos in the telecom sector and specifically caused the loss of revenue to AT in addition to the state of confusion that he has thrown the staff and management of AT into.”
The Minority reminded Ghanaians that AT was formed in January 2018 through the merger of Airtel, which had 25 percent government shares, and Tigo, creating the country’s second-largest mobile network operator. “While the merger was meant to strengthen competition and reduce operational costs, the company struggled to invest in 4G infrastructure, rendering its operations unsustainable. The NPP government, under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, subsequently acquired AT for $1 in October 2021 to safeguard over 500 direct jobs and protect the interests of its five million customers,” it noted.
“The assets, customers (5.1 million), management responsibilities and liabilities were acquired for $1…to save over 500 direct jobs and interest of over 5 million customers,” the Minority Caucus statement read. The caucus criticised the current Minister of Communications for undermining the previous government’s strategy and for creating confusion with the staff and management of AT.
“The current government and the Hon. Sam George since assuming office have demonstrated oscillating policy stance and have shown the lack of direction and certainty as to what they want to do with AT,” the Minority said. The Minority outlined a series of conflicting actions by the minister, including the announcement of a Memorandum of Understanding with Rektron on 21st May 2025 for a 60 percent ownership stake, followed by a press conference on 31st May suggesting ongoing negotiations with a strategic partner, and later a retreat on 3rd July 2025 citing KPMG as transactional advisors.
AT- Telecel merger?
The Minority Caucus also expressed concern over the minister’s push to merge AT with Telecel, describing it as an “unholy alliance” and questioning the rationale behind abandoning a $150 million initial investment from Afritel/Rektron for what is seen as a limited $50 million upgrade from Telecel. The Minority contended that the proposed merger would harm competition in the sector, stating: “
The telecom market of over GHc 1.3 million per month requires competition and not duopoly which will effectively operate as a monopoly…Why will any government contemplate collapsing such a company?”
In addition, the Minority cautioned that the merger could disrupt the World Bank-funded $50 million Digital Infrastructure Venture Project, which relies on AT’s network to link over 900 government service centres across the country.
The Minority emphasised that Telecel, which reportedly has debts exceeding $400 million, is unlikely to match the promised $1 billion investment from Afritel/Rektron over five years, raising concerns about long-term sustainability and safeguarding of jobs.
It also called on President John Dramani Mahama to intervene and rein in the Minister of Communications. They demanded an immediate halt to the proposed merger with Telecel, a comprehensive parliamentary inquiry, full disclosure of all agreements and correspondence, and a detailed review of ATC’s outstanding indebtedness to ensure continuity of service.
“We wish to make it clear that we will not sit idly by and allow a single Minister to unilaterally dispose of a critical national asset such as AT. The strategic importance of this company to our national infrastructure, digital sovereignty, and economic development cannot be overstated,” the Minority said.
The Minority Caucus assured staff, contract workers, and the millions of Ghanaians who rely on AT’s services that they would continue to advocate for transparency, accountability, and the safeguarding of the company’s operations, cautioning Telecel and other interested parties against engaging in irregular transactions.
