Minister for Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has strongly condemned the handling of the AirtelTigo transaction, labeling those responsible as “enemies of the state.”
His remarks come in response to shocking revelations that the telecommunications company, which was saddled with a GH₵3.5 billion debt, was sold back to the government for just one dollar.
Speaking to journalists in Parliament on Monday, March 24, 2025, Sam George raised the alarm over AirtelTigo’s financial obligations, particularly a GH₵1.5 billion debt owed to the American Tower Company (ATC).
“Those who managed the AirtelTigo process are enemies of our state and individuals who have no sense of patriotism. So for anybody to have told us that they bought AirtelTigo for 1 dollar, and now that we have taken over the ministry, ATC (American Tower Company), just one of the companies AirtelTigo owes, has presented us with a bill of 1.5 billion Ghana Cedis,” he fumed.
The Minister also revealed that discussions with the American Embassy had brought further concerns about AirtelTigo’s financial state.
“The American Embassy, along with their team, was in my office, and one of the major issues raised was the indebtedness to ATC. The debt sitting on the books of AirtelTigo exceeds 3.5 billion Ghana Cedis.”
“So if someone told you that they bought it for 1 dollar, who is going to pay the 1.3 billion that is sitting there and accumulating interest?” he questioned.
The AirtelTigo takeover was finalized in November 2021 when Bharti Airtel and Millicom International Cellular SA (Tigo) transferred full ownership to the Government of Ghana.
At the time, then-Minister of Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, had defended the deal, stating, “We acquired it for just a dollar.”
However, Sam George has vowed to present a full briefing to Parliament on the financial liabilities surrounding AirtelTigo and what he describes as blatant mismanagement of the acquisition.
By: Ekow Annan/newsalertgh.com
