The Minister for Communications and Digitisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekulful, has challenged the Ningo-Prampram lawmaker, Sam George to release documents that suggest the state paid $25m in the acquisition of Airtel-Tigo.
She reiterated her claim that the purchase did not exceed one dollar despite the claims of lawmaker Sam George.
“Which report? Where? You can’t just announce that you saw it in reports. If you say you’ve seen a document that says we paid $25m for Airtel-Tigo, bring it out,” she dared Sam George on Starr Chat Wednesday.
Sam George has asked the Minister to prepare to appear before the Parliamentary Committee of Communications and give details of the transactions saying the Minister is insulting the intelligence of Ghanaians by stating that the shares of AirtelTigo were acquired for a dollar.
In an interaction with host Nana Aba Anamoah on the Personality Profile Show, Starr Chat, the Minister insisted AirtelTigo shares were acquired for just a dollar and not $25 million as purported.
“We bought Airtel-Tigo for $1. I signed the contract so I don’t know where the $25m is coming from. There’s only one truth about Airtel-Tigo and that’s what I’ve stated.
The government of Ghana last week signed an agreement with telecommunications company AirtelTigo for the transfer of ownership to the state.
The government of Ghana and the parent companies of AirtelTigo, Bharti Airtel Ghana Holdings B.V., MIC Africa B.V signed the transfer after they concluded negotiations to transfer the shares of the company to the Ghana government.
The transfer of ownership comes after AirtelTigo in June 2020 announced its decision to exit the Ghanaian market.
This agreement transfers all customers, assets, and agreed liabilities of AirtelTigo to the government of Ghana.
“We consider this a positive step as it adds to the growing portfolio of digital infrastructure assets being utilized by the government,” Communication Minister Mrs. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful stated after the signing of the agreement.
