The government has appointed global audit and advisory firm KPMG as a transaction advisor to guide the restructuring and future direction of AT Ghana, the state-owned telecommunications company struggling with debts exceeding $150 million.

The intervention comes in the wake of escalating tensions between AT Ghana and its tower operator, ATC Ghana, over unpaid charges, which recently led to the nationwide disconnection of AT’s radio access networks. The action, triggered by long-standing indebtedness, nearly left over three million subscribers without service.

Crisis Management

To avert a total blackout, the Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, announced last Friday that government had directed AT and Telecel Ghana to establish a national roaming agreement. This measure, implemented through the National Communications Authority (NCA), has ensured uninterrupted access to voice, SMS, data, and AT Money services.

Mr. George praised the swift technical collaboration between the two operators, describing their work under difficult conditions as proof of Ghana’s strong telecom expertise.

KPMG has been given 60 days to provide recommendations on restructuring AT Ghana and reviewing government’s shareholding in Telecel Ghana. The ultimate goal, the Minister explained, is to create a strong second operator to balance the country’s telecom market, currently dominated by MTN.

No Merger or Acquisition

Responding to speculation, Mr. George clarified that the current process is neither a merger nor an acquisition.

“What we are witnessing is not a merger and neither is it an acquisition. This is a faux-merger situation, pending the outcome of KPMG’s advisory report,” he stressed.

The final decision on AT Ghana’s future will depend on KPMG’s findings and subsequent government action.

Protecting Jobs

Addressing concerns about staff, Mr. George assured that none of AT’s 300 permanent employees would lose their jobs. He also revealed that the transaction advisor would assess the situation of over 200 contract staff.

“The government is committed to protecting AT workers and their dependents from any adverse effects of the restructuring,” he affirmed.

Stakeholders, including subscribers, creditors, suppliers, and tower operators, have been urged to await KPMG’s report for clarity on the company’s long-term direction.

The Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has dismissed claims that the ongoing collaboration between AT Ghana and Telecel amounts to a merger or acquisition.

Addressing the media in Accra on Friday, September 5, 2025, Mr. George explained that the arrangement is a temporary regulatory intervention to safeguard consumers after AT Ghana’s debt crisis with tower operator ATC Ghana.

He revealed that the issue began in 2020 when AT defaulted on recurring charges, leading to debts that by September 1, 2025, had soared above US$150 million. ATC Ghana subsequently disconnected power to AT’s sites nationwide, threatening a total blackout for over three million subscribers.

To prevent a collapse of services, the National Communications Authority (NCA) instructed AT Ghana and Telecel to establish a national roaming agreement. This allowed AT’s customers to continue accessing voice, data, SMS, and mobile money services through Telecel’s network.

“What is happening is not a merger and neither is it an acquisition,” Mr. George emphasized. He urged stakeholders, including subscribers, tower firms, suppliers, and creditors, to await the outcome of a transaction advisor’s assessment, which will clarify outstanding debts and AT Ghana’s future.

He praised the technical teams of both companies for their swift integration, describing it as proof of Ghanaian engineers’ competence, though he cautioned that minor service disruptions may occur during the transition.

On the company’s future, Mr. George disclosed that government has appointed KPMG as transaction advisor with a 60-day mandate to propose solutions for stabilizing Ghana’s telecom sector. The advisor will also review government’s shareholding in Telecel.

He assured that AT Ghana’s 300 permanent employees will retain their jobs, while the fate of more than 200 contract staff remains under review.

GCB Bank is positioning itself at the forefront of Ghana’s digital economy with a bold proposal to introduce a direct payment framework for TikTok content creators, a move expected to transform how local creators access their earnings.

A delegation from the bank, led by its Chief of Staff, Mr. Abraham Ferguson, on Tuesday paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George (MP), to discuss a potential partnership with TikTok. The initiative seeks to eliminate third-party intermediaries and guarantee Ghanaian creators full value for their work.

Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Ferguson highlighted GCB Bank’s robust infrastructure to serve as the preferred payment gateway.

“The bank possesses strong connectivity with MasterCard and Visa, enabling direct payments onto cards. We also have the capacity to facilitate payouts via mobile money and bank transfers,” he explained.

According to Mr. Ferguson, the framework is designed to give Ghanaian content creators a secure and transparent channel to withdraw earnings from their viral videos and manage cash-outs for gifts received on the platform.

The proposal received strong backing from the Communication Minister, who stressed the importance of a localised system to safeguard Ghana’s creative economy.

“By eliminating the use of third parties, we reduce unnecessary deductions and ensure Ghanaian talent gets the full value of their work,” Hon. George said.

Also present at the meeting was TikTok’s West Africa representative, Ms. Tokumbo Ibrahim, who described the proposal as a promising step toward empowering African creators. She assured that TikTok would review its feasibility and explore the technical and regulatory processes needed for integration.

GCB Bank confirmed its readiness to act immediately once approval is given.

“This would involve formalising a payment framework in consultation with financial authorities and setting up technical teams to ensure seamless integration,” Mr. Ferguson stated.

If implemented, the system could mark a turning point for Ghana’s digital creators, many of whom face delays, high fees, and a lack of transparency in accessing earnings. Analysts say the initiative has the potential to not only strengthen Ghana’s position in the global creator economy but also boost financial inclusion across the country.

For now, attention shifts to TikTok’s response, which could pave the way for a new era of direct, reliable, and transparent payments for Ghanaian creators in the digital age.