Sam George slams $1 dollar acquisition of AirtelTigo, reveals company’s GH₵3.5 billion debt

The Minister for Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has condemned the handling of the AirtelTigo transaction, describing those responsible as “enemies of the state.”

His criticism follows revelations that the telecommunications company, burdened 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, the Minister expressed concerns over AirtelTigo’s financial liabilities, particularly a GH₵1.5 billion debt owed 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 stated.

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?”

The AirtelTigo takeover was finalised in November 2021 after Bharti Airtel and Millicom International Cellular SA (Tigo) transferred 100% ownership to the Government of Ghana.

 

 

The 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 provide Parliament with a full briefing on the company’s financial burden and alleged mismanagement.