In a move meant to quash fears of job losses, the Government of Ghana has confirmed that all 300 permanent employees of AT (formerly AirtelTigo) will retain their positions following the planned merger with Telecel Ghana. Speaking at AT’s headquarters in Accra, Communications Minister Samuel Nartey George emphasized that staff will be absorbed under the new entity through a seamless transition, not as a reapplication process, but as a continuation of existing contracts.
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, the Minister assured employees.
The merger comes amid deep financial distress at AT: the telecom reportedly incurred over USD 10 million in losses within just eight months this year. The Minister underscored the unsustainability of such losses being borne by taxpayers.
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 stated.
By consolidating operations with Telecel, the government expects to eliminate redundancies and build a stronger competitor in the telecom market. Minister George pointed to the inefficiency of running two separate networks on the same infrastructure.
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.
Already, 3.2 million AT subscribers are being migrated to Telecel’s network through a national roaming arrangement, a phase the Minister described as “98% smooth.”
The integration plan will unfold in three phases:
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Technical migration—nearly complete and roaming operational.
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Human resource alignment—full absorption of staff by the end of September.
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Commercial restructuring—expected to wrap up within 120 days.
Funding the merger will require an estimated USD 600 million over four years. The government intends to contribute via spectrum sales, while encouraging Telecel and other partners to co-invest in the venture.
