The Minister of Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has described as “enemies of our state”, the handlers of the AirtelTigo transaction with government of Ghana.
He says those who brokered the deal do not have the interest of the state at heart, considering the fact that the company was wallowing in debt at the time it was being sold.
AirtelTigo, the telecommunications company which was sold to the government of Ghana for just one dollar, according to the Sam George, is burdened with a GH₵3.5 billion debt.
Mr. George, who expressed concerns over the financial liabilities of the telecommunications company disclosed that it owes a GH₵1.5 billion debt to 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 has presented us with a bill of 1.5 billion Ghana Cedis,” he told journalists in Parliament on Monday, March 24, 2025.
He further disclosed that discussions with the American Embassy had highlighted concerns over AirtelTigo’s financial obligations.
“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.
Government of Ghana and Bharti Airtel and Millicom International Cellular SA (Tigo) finalised a 100% ownership transfer to the latter in November 2021 at a cost of US$1.
The then Minister of Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, had defended the deal, stating, “We acquired it for just a dollar.”
The Minister, has, however, vowed to provide Parliament with a full briefing on the company’s financial burden and alleged mismanagement.
