News
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.
News
Sammy Awuku urges Fourth Estate to follow GJA Code of Ethics when holding duty bearers accountable
The Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, Samuel Awuku, has called on the Fourth Estate to strictly adhere to the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Code of Ethics when reporting on public officials and state institutions.
In a statement issued on 25 September 2025, Mr Awuku said a recent publication by the Fourth Estate about the National Lottery Authority’s (NLA) Good Causes Foundation misrepresented facts about projects undertaken during his time as Director-General.
According to him, the article created the impression that funds meant for the underprivileged were diverted to “glamorous events and questionable enterprises” but ignored many life-saving projects, donations and community interventions funded by the Foundation.
He reminded journalists that Article 1 of the GJA Code of Ethics obliges them to provide factual, balanced and accurate information to the public and to cross-check their facts before publication. “For journalists of the Fourth Estate’s calibre who pride themselves in working in the public interest, it is only appropriate that their publications are factual and not misleading,” he stated.
Mr Awuku explained that the NLA Good Causes Foundation was established in October 2021 to rebrand the Authority’s corporate social responsibility arm and focus on health, education, youth and sports development, and arts and culture.
He said that during his tenure the Foundation built 20-seater toilet facilities with mechanised boreholes in several communities, funded surgery for a baby with spinal bifida, donated incubators and medical supplies to hospitals, constructed a smart laboratory for the Borstal Institute, provided scholarships to needy students, and supported football clubs and cultural festivals, among other projects.
Mr Awuku added that the Foundation was funded through the Caritas Lottery Platform, which generated about GHS11 million between October 2021 and December 2024 after its relaunch.
He dismissed claims that the Authority spent heavily on awards and luxury events, explaining that sponsorships accounted for only about five per cent of expenditure and were intended to attract corporate stakeholders and raise revenue. He also said many award nominations were turned down and that any awards received were not “bought” but recognised the work of his management and staff.
The MP expressed concern about the publication of the names of NLA staff and other beneficiaries, including patients, saying this violated their privacy.
Mr Awuku concluded that he served with integrity and helped turn the NLA’s losses into profits and urged the Fourth Estate and other media houses to present a full and balanced picture when holding duty bearers accountable.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Businessman Richard A. Jakpa has petitioned the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service.
He is accusing former Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame of trying to get him to give false evidence in court.
In his petition dated July 23, 2025, Mr. Jakpa said he is the third accused person in an ongoing trial involving former Deputy Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson.
According to Mr. Jakpa, Mr. Dame contacted him after the prosecution closed its case and allegedly urged him to cooperate and testify in a way that would implicate Dr. Forson.
He further alleged that on March 26, 2024, Mr. Dame called him and suggested how he should answer questions about Letters of Credit during cross-examination, and even advised him to seek a false medical excuse to delay proceedings.
This, Mr. Jakpa mentioned, he refused to do so.
The businessman is asking the CID to investigate what he describes as an attempt to fabricate evidence and undermine the court process.
The former Attorney-General has not yet publicly responded to the allegations.
By: Jacob Aggrey
