Telecel Ghana Dismisses Minority’s Claims Over Alleged Secret Takeover of AT Ghana

Telecel Ghana has strongly rejected allegations by the Minority in Parliament that it is involved in a “secret takeover” of AT Ghana, describing the claims as misleading, inaccurate, and unfounded.

The response follows a press briefing on Wednesday, October 15, during which Hon. Matthew Nyindam, Ranking Member on Parliament’s Information and Communications Committee, called for an immediate suspension of the ongoing restructuring process involving AT Ghana and Telecel. He argued that the deal has implications beyond commerce, touching on the preservation of a strategic national institution.

“This is not merely about the sale of a company,” Nyindam said. “It is about protecting national institutions that have served Ghana diligently, nurtured some of the finest talents in the industry, and proved their strategic importance in moments of national crisis.”

In a statement issued on Thursday, October 16, Telecel explained that its engagement with AT Ghana is based on a directive from the National Communications Authority (NCA) to provide national roaming support. This followed the shutdown of AT Ghana’s sites by ATC Ghana in August over unpaid debts.

“Without this intervention, AT customers would not have been able to use mobile voice and data services across the country,” Telecel clarified, describing the arrangement as an interim measure pending the outcome of a government-appointed transaction advisor, KPMG.

The company also dismissed claims of financial weakness, noting that it has recorded hundreds of millions of cedis in net profits year-to-date and has invested over US$240 million in Ghana since acquiring the business in 2023—far above the US$10 million figure cited by the Minority.

According to Telecel, these investments have been directed toward reducing legacy debts, expanding network infrastructure, modernising operations, and enhancing digital services nationwide. It added that no redundancies have occurred among its more than 600 employees, and the company continues to receive Top Employer certification annually.

Telecel also rejected suggestions that its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives were politically motivated. It highlighted donations of advanced cervical cancer screening equipment to major hospitals, support for the One Million Coders Programme, and sponsorship of various traditional festivals, stressing that all sponsorship requests came from local Traditional Councils.

“It therefore beats one’s imagination that our support for this year’s Homowo Festival, one among many others, could be interpreted as an attempt to influence decisions concerning AT,” the company stated.

Telecel further clarified that it operates legally in Ghana as Ghana Telecommunications Company Limited, with the Government of Ghana holding 30% ownership.

The company reaffirmed its long-term commitment to Ghana, pledging continued investment in technology, talent, and infrastructure.

“Telecel remains open to engage constructively with all relevant stakeholders to provide factual information and ensure that public discourse on this matter is guided by fact,” the statement added.

“We encourage the public to disregard any statements that misrepresent Telecel’s role, integrity, or intentions.”

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