Sam George Brands AirtelTigo Sale Handlers 'Enemies of the State'
Accra, Ghana - 25 March, 2025 - Ghana's Minister for Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has launched a scathing attack on those behind the AirtelTigo sale, branding them "enemies of the state".
The telecommunications company was sold to the government for a staggering $1, despite being saddled with a massive GHC3.5 billion debt.
Addressing journalists on Monda 24 March, Sam George lambasted the handlers of the AirtelTigo deal, casting doubt on their patriotism in the face of the company's staggering financial obligations. Specifically, AirtelTigo is saddled with a whopping GHC1.5 billion debt to the American Tower Company, which is just the tip of the iceberg - the total debt burden exceeds a staggering GHC3.5 billion.
“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 (American Tower Company), just one of the companies AirtelTigo owes, has presented us with a bill of 1.5 billion Ghana Cedis,” he stated.
“The American Embassy, along with their team, was in my office, and one of the major issues raised was the indebtedness to ATC. 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.
The Minister's comments come amid growing concerns over the sale's implications for Ghana's telecom industry. The deal has sparked intense scrutiny, with many questioning the wisdom of acquiring a debt-ridden company for a token price.
Source: Lead News Online
