Minister Sam George Slams $1 AirtelTigo Deal, Exposes GH₵3.5bn Debt Burden
Ghana’s Minister for Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has strongly condemned the handling of the AirtelTigo transaction, labeling those responsible as “enemies of the state.”
Speaking to journalists in Parliament, Sam George revealed that AirtelTigo was sold to the government for just $1, despite being saddled with a whopping GH₵3.5 billion debt. The Minister expressed outrage over the company’s financial obligations, particularly a GH₵1.5 billion debt owed to the American Tower Company (ATC).
Sam George vowed to present a full briefing to Parliament on the financial liabilities surrounding AirtelTigo, describing the acquisition as a blatant case of mismanagement. The Minister’s comments come after discussions with the American Embassy raised concerns about AirtelTigo’s financial state.
The AirtelTigo takeover was finalized in November 2021, with the then-Minister of Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, defending the deal. However, Sam George’s revelations have raised questions about the transparency and accountability of the acquisition process.
As the controversy unfolds, Ghanaians are left wondering how the country will bear the burden of AirtelTigo’s massive debt. One thing is certain – the Minister’s briefing to Parliament will be eagerly anticipated, as the nation seeks answers about this dubious deal.
