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Retract Lexus gift allegation or face consequence- Sam George to NPP activist
Minister for Communication and Digital Innovation, Samuel Nartey George is demanding a restraction and apology of speculations made against him regarding a vehicle gift.
According to Sam George, he has been falsely accused of a Lexus gift by New Patriotic Party (NPP) Activist, P.K Sarpong.
The minister is demanding an immediate removal of the said false publication from PK Sarpong’s Facebook wall.
Also, he is demanding a public retraction of the statement, issued in the same manner and to the same audience as the original publication and an unqualified apology.
In a letter from Sam George’s lawyers, they stated that “Our client has brought to our attention a publication made by you on your Facebook page, in which you falsely allege that Hon. Samuel Nartey George received a Lexus vehicle as a gift-purportedly in violation of a directive issued by H.E. John Dramani Mahama to his ministers. This statement is categorically false.”
The added “You are fully aware that your publication is devoid of truth. Nonetheless, you have proceeded to make this misinformation public, with the apparent intention of tarnishing the hard-earned reputation of our client. Such conduct is defamatory and injurious.”
On Facebook, a social media user and NPP activist, P.K. Sarpong alleged that the Ningo-Prampram MP had received the Lexus as a gift, in violation of President John Mahama’s recently launched Code of Conduct.
The directive frowns upon the acceptance of gifts by government appointees, as the President cautioned that it could compromise their integrity in office.
In the Facebook post, P.K. Sarpong claimed that Mr Sam George had been using an “unregistered vehicle” which is a “top of the range Lexus” vehicle, which he said was “a gift from someone to him.”
“Dear President John Dramani Mahama, Let me repeat, this unregistered Lexus your appointee is using is a gift to him!,” he wrote.
He added that he was keeping the gifter anonymous for now. “chest for now.”
However, Sam George described the social media publication as false and has subsequently, through his lawyers, stated that the publication by P.K. Sarpong was “categorically false.”
On the back of this, he is demanding that the author desist from making any more of what he considers defamatory comments against him, issue an apology, or face legal action.
The Minority in Parliament has strongly objected to any planned merger or partnership between the government and Telecel, describing the deal as “technically, operationally, and financially unconscionable.”
Ranking Member on the Communications Committee, Matthew Nyindam, raised the concern during a media briefing in Parliament.
He questioned why both the Minister of Communications and Telecel would publicly announce a merger and then suddenly go silent on the matter.
“We object to any deal with Telecel by way of merger, absorption, or acquisition. This is a scheme to dispose of a national asset to fill private pockets,” Mr. Nyindam stated.
He argued that Telecel has not demonstrated any special technical or operational expertise that staff and management of AT (formerly AirtelTigo) do not already possess.
According to him, Telecel had earlier promised to invest $500 million after acquiring Vodafone Ghana but failed to do so, a situation he fears could repeat itself if the government allows another deal.
Mr. Nyindam claimed that Telecel was already indebted to the tune of $400 million, adding that the company only seeks to benefit from AT’s over three million customers to expand its own base without making any real investment.
“The government must not surrender the capacity of a state-owned company to a private entity through majority ownership. There is no clear plan to protect the jobs and livelihoods of thousands of workers,” he stressed.
The Minority Caucus is therefore calling on the government to halt any discussions or agreements with Telecel regarding the proposed merger, insisting that the deal is not in the national interest.
Flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bryan Acheampong, has called for an emergency 90-day suspension of all forms of mining in Ghana to help restore polluted rivers and water bodies.
He made the call during his campaign tour, where he engaged party members and residents on issues of national concern, including security, the environment, and responsible mining.
Mr Acheampong explained that the temporary ban should take place during the rainy season to allow the environment to recover naturally while the nation rethinks its mining practices.
“Let’s clear our water bodies and engage on how we can go back to mining. I’m not talking about a state of emergency, but mining, regardless of where, should stop now for the next 90 days,” he said.
He warned that illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, continues to poison food sources and destroy farmlands, posing a major threat to public health and food security.
“If our food systems are being poisoned and we just look on because we prefer to make money, our people will not be around in a very short time to address the situation,” he cautioned.
Mr Acheampong urged government, miners, and local leaders to use the proposed 90-day period to develop a sustainable framework for responsible mining that protects both livelihoods and the environment.
By: Jacob Aggrey
