The government has appointed the international audit and advisory firm KPMG as a transaction advisor to guide the future of AT Ghana, the state-owned telecommunications company that currently has a debt exceeding $150 million. This decision comes in response to an escalating crisis between AT Ghana and its tower operator, ATC Ghana, over unpaid charges. Last week, this situation led to the disconnection of power to AT’s radio access networks across the country. ATC’s action, which was a result of AT Ghana’s long-standing debt issues, risked plunging more than three million subscribers into a nationwide communications blackout.
Solution
To address the ongoing crisis, Samuel Nartey George, the Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, announced at a press conference last Friday that the government, through the National Communications Authority (NCA), has directed AT and Telecel Ghana to immediately establish a national roaming agreement. This move aims to protect consumers and ensure service continuity.
Importantly, all of AT’s services—including voice, SMS, data, and AT Money—are fully operational, he clarified. Mr. George commended the technical teams of both companies for their exceptional skill and commitment in executing the integration under challenging circumstances, highlighting this as evidence of the technical expertise present in Ghana’s telecommunications sector.
Furthermore, he revealed that KPMG has been given a strict 60-day deadline to complete its advisory work, which will focus on restructuring AT and addressing the government’s shareholding in Telecel Ghana. The overarching objective, he explained, is to establish a robust second operator to rebalance the mobile market in Ghana, which has long been dominated by MTN.
Not merger or acquisition
The Communication Minister clarified widespread media speculation that the ongoing developments amounted to a merger or acquisition. “This is not a merger. It is also not an acquisition. We are dealing with a faux-merger situation and the work of the transaction advisor. For emphasis, I repeat, what is happening and playing out is not a merger and neither is it an acquisition.,” he explained. The final pathway for AT Ghana, he said, would be shaped by the recommendations from KPMG’s report and subsequent consideration by government. Until then, he urged stakeholders – including subscribers, tower companies, suppliers and creditors – to await the outcome of the advisory work for clarity on outstanding debts, services and the company’s future.
Staff assurances
On the fate of AT’s workforce, Mr George was emphatic that no jobs would be lost. “The government will ensure that the approximately 300 permanent staff of AT retain their employment. There will be no job losses. I have already met with the staff and offered them assurances in this regard,” He further disclosed that the transaction advisor had been tasked to also consider the fate of over 200 contract staff. “I am fully aware of the gravity of the current situation on the workers, their families and their dependents, but I remain committed on behalf of the government to protect them from any adverse situation,” the Minister added.
Source: Dickson Worlanyo Dotse
