Telecoms operator, TIGO has explained the recent lay-off of scores of its workforce is only a part of a restructuring exercise to fast-track the growth of the business.

The company says it has completed the exercise and duly communicated to the affected workers who were 65 contrary to reports in the media quoting 80 affected staff.

In a statement copied to JOY BUSINESS, the Corporate Communications Director, Gifty Bingley said: “The restructuring of our business will allow us to better address the changing needs of the market in Ghana and our intent to drive a more forceful business agenda. It will help us increase efficiency”.

The statement concluded “Tigo will now focus on accelerating its business growth plan”.

The company’s subsidiaries in Africa are reportedly also embarking on a similar move.

Tigo is the third largest telecom operator in the country with about 4.4 million subscribers as at August 2015 according to data from the National Communications Authority (NCA).

The Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer, Africa Division of Millicom, the parent company of Tigo Ms. Cynthia Gordon, indicated earlier this year that plans were far advanced towards major initiatives including network optimisation and revamp of Tigo’s product portfolios, to attract and retain customers.

She disclosed this at the end of a two-day working visit to Ghana from January 18 –19, 2016 – during which she met with various stakeholders and management team in Ghana to discuss new and improved strategies to grow the business and deliver more value to customers.   

She revealed the focus for Tigo in 2016 is to grow the volume and value of customers by accelerating growth in data, Tigo Business and Mobile Financial Services, MFS.