Government moves to protect AT Ghana subscribers amid tower company debt dispute

The stability of Ghana’s telecom sector has come under pressure following a long-running dispute between AT Ghana and its creditors, which recently led to the disconnection of power to its sites by tower operator ATC Ghana.

With over three million subscribers at risk, the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovation has stepped in with urgent regulatory measures to safeguard consumers and ensure continuity of service.

Addressing the media in Accra, Minister Samuel Nartey George explained that the debt crisis, which dates back to 2020, had escalated into a national concern on September 1, 2025, when ATC began shutting down power to AT’s radio access networks.

To avert widespread disruption, the National Communications Authority directed AT and Telecel to immediately establish national roaming.

“This decisive intervention has ensured that AT’s services — voice, SMS, data, and AT Money — remain intact. I commend the exceptional skill and commitment shown by the technical teams of AT Ghana and Telecel Ghana in pulling off this integration under very difficult circumstances,” the Minister stated.

He further assured staff of AT Ghana that their livelihoods remain a top priority.

“The Government will ensure that the approximately 300 permanent staff of AT retain their employment. I am fully aware of the gravity of the current situation on the workers and their families, but I remain committed on behalf of the government to protect them from any adverse situation,” Sam George stressed.

The government has engaged KPMG as a transaction advisor with a 60-day deadline to provide recommendations on the future of AT and to chart a sustainable path that could establish a strong second operator in Ghana’s telecom market.

The Minister made it clear that this is not a merger or acquisition, but an emergency response to protect subscribers while a long-term solution is developed.

By Bawa Musah

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