According to the Minister for Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, AirtelTigo, Ghana’s state-owned telecom operator, is going through financial hardships. The company is losing about GH₵20 million every month and has accumulated debts of over $200 million, as the government has revealed.
Speaking at a media briefing in Accra on April 9, 2025, Sam George was not shy in his condemnation of the previous administration’s decision to acquire AirtelTigo for a symbolic $1 in 2020. The acquisition is ‘ill-informed, reckless, and unpatriotic,’ the minister said, adding that the acquisition was done without proper due diligence and placed the company in a very bad financial situation.
George said the Akufo-Addo administration took over a company with a $400 million debt, a colossal liability that was left behind by the preceding government. However, attempts by the telecom giant to restructure its debt have failed to salvage its growth from dwindling losses and huge operational inefficiencies. As at now, the debt has been reduced to $200 million, but the company is still losing GH₵20 million a month with its underperforming operations.
Moreover, the minister said that a key reason for the financial trouble of the company is that its billing and network systems have not been upgraded in over five years and have become obsolete and not capable of supporting the current demand and operational requirements.
‘Last year the company was making revenue and was having losses too, but that small revenue was not enough to cover the company’s operational costs,‘ George said, adding that the lack of modern infrastructure is a major problem.
However, he emphasized the government is in negotiations with creditors to restructure the company’s debts even more, and allow it to continue to operate.
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Having a look at the future, Sam George stated that the government is looking into a new policy direction so that AirtelTigo can stabilize. This new strategy is intended to save jobs within the company and build a sustainable future for the telecom operator to recover and flourish.
However, the government is determined to protect assets belonging to the state and the interests of the people of Ghana and the company’s employees as the company continues to face severe financial difficulties.
