Sam George Accused of Favouring Telecel in $1bn Deal
Tension is brewing in Parliament as the Minority accuses the Minister of Communications of rejecting Rektron’s $1 billion investment offer to rescue AT Ghana and instead handing over the company to Telecel.
The opposition contends that Rektron’s proposal, which involved a $150 million initial injection and debt restructuring, was the most viable path to revive AT Ghana.
Addressing the media, the Minority alleged that the minister dismissed the deal without explanation and secretly pursued a Telecel takeover.
Industry observers say the decision undermines Ghana’s credibility with investors and raises questions about transparency in the telecom sector.
Meanwhile, the ministry maintains that AT Ghana’s mounting losses made it necessary to seek an alternative operator capable of sustaining service delivery.
The Minority insists on an independent investigation into the circumstances under which the Rektron proposal was discarded.
The Minority accused the Minister of Communications, Hon. Sam George, of violating principles of transparency, corporate governance, and parliamentary oversight in handling the future of AT.
The caucus noted that despite signing an MOU with Rektron in May 2025 and later engaging KPMG as transactional advisors, the Minister has since “backtracked” and begun promoting a merger with Telecel without any public disclosure of advisory reports or legal opinions.
“While stakeholders are still waiting for the KPMG report and the Attorney General’s guidance, both the Ministry and Telecel prematurely announced a merger — only to delete those posts after public backlash. This raises serious questions about transparency,” the Minority stated.
They are demanding:
• An immediate halt to any merger or consolidation involving AT and Telecel.
• A parliamentary inquiry into all transactions, correspondence, and agreements.
• Full disclosure of KPMG’s findings and the Attorney General’s legal advice.
• Engagement with American Tower Company to resolve AT’s reported GHC1.5 billion debt and service disruptions.
The Minority insists that AT Ghana is a “strategic national asset” that must remain under Ghanaian control, citing its role in preserving jobs, ensuring digital sovereignty, and maintaining competitive balance in the telecom market.
They also warned that any future government will review and, if necessary, reverse any deal that lacks parliamentary scrutiny or violates procurement standards.
“This is not just about a company; it’s about protecting Ghana’s digital future and sovereignty,” the caucus stated.
“We are also sending a strong and unequivocal caution to the Telecel Group that any attempt to acquire a strategic state asset through unlawful, non-transparent, or irregular means will not only lack legitimacy but will also attract severe consequences in the future. The people of Ghana and the next government of the NPP will not sit idly by while a vital national asset is handed over under questionable circumstances.”
“Any deal shrouded in secrecy, executed without due parliamentary scrutiny, or in violation of procurement and regulatory standards will be subject to future review, reversal, and possible legal action. We further remind Telecel that state assets are held in trust for the people of Ghana — not for the benefit of private interests or political expediency. Any company that chooses to be complicit in such an irregular transaction should be prepared to face reputational damage, legal scrutiny, and the potential nullification of any agreement entered under such circumstances Further, it is our position that the whole transaction is unconscionable and failure to desist from engaging is at Telecel’s own risk. This is not merely about the sale of a company; it is about protecting a national institution that has served Ghana diligently, nurtured some of the finest talent in the industry, and proven its strategic importance in moments of national crisis. Together — industry veterans, current staff, policymakers, and the highest office of the land — we must act decisively to ensure that AT remains in the hands of Ghanaians and continues to serve as a cornerstone of our digital and economic future. Given these realities, the Minority firmly believes that any decision regarding the future of AT must be subjected to full parliamentary scrutiny.”