The director of field operations for United Party, Hopeson Adorye, has criticised the heated exchange between Communications Minister Sam George and former Deputy Finance Minister Abena Osei-Asare during proceedings at the Public Accounts Committee. He said the confrontation exposed the need for Parliament to review the structure and conduct of committee sittings.
He noted that the committee’s deliberations focused on expenditure and policy decisions linked to the 2024 administration. He further suggested that officials who supervised institutions during that period should also be invited to appear before the committee to respond to issues arising from their time in office.
“Whatever is being discussed at the PAC today relates to 2024, which is why I am saying the laws should be amended so that, if such situations arise again, the previous minister, previous director and previous CEO are called to appear before the committee to answer the questions.”
Hopeson Adorye
Adorye argued that the current arrangement places pressure on new office holders who inherit challenges from previous administrations. In his view, accountability processes should extend to both former and current officials to ensure fairness during public scrutiny.
He further stated that Parliament must strengthen committee procedures to improve order during public hearings. He added that sittings involving past administrations often generate political tension among lawmakers.
According to him, tensions rose during the session when Sam George attempted to respond to questions but faced repeated interruptions. He argued that ministers appearing before parliamentary committees should be given sufficient time to complete their responses.
Adorye remarked that lawmakers and ministers are all elected representatives with constitutional responsibilities. From his perspective, mutual respect and procedural discipline would improve the quality of parliamentary oversight.
“Sam George was present yesterday. He inherited both assets and liabilities, so he was making that connection, but the discussion was presented as though everything began under his tenure.”
Hopeson Adorye
Meanwhile, he observed that political disagreements during committee sittings often overshadow substantive accountability issues. He urged politicians to prioritise governance, accountability, and institutional reforms.
According to him, public hearings should encourage calm and constructive engagement among participants. He added that parliamentary committees remain key institutions for strengthening democratic accountability in Ghana.
Telecom Reforms And Consumer Protection Shape National Debate
The director of field operations for United Party, Hopeson Adorye, defended Communications Minister Sam George over discussions on telecommunications reforms and consumer protection. He said the minister’s remarks at the Public Accounts Committee formed part of efforts to address long-standing challenges in the communications sector.
He noted that the minister sought to highlight the scale of network and pricing concerns affecting consumers nationwide. He added that these interventions formed part of a broader push to improve affordability and service delivery.
“When Sam George was fighting for reductions and improvements, many people forgot he was pushing for better prices and better services for Ghanaians.”
Hopeson Adorye
Adorye explained that the minister’s position reflects growing public frustration over network quality and subscription costs. In his view, reforms in the sector are aimed at restoring fairness and improving consumer value.
He stated that debates on DStv subscription pricing highlight concerns many households continue to face. He explained that consumers often compare local charges with lower rates in countries such as Nigeria.
According to him, the minister’s engagement with service providers is intended to secure fairer pricing and improved value for subscribers. He added that such reforms deserve public support given the importance of digital services in daily life and economic activity.
Adorye also referenced wider concerns about mobile network services, including unexplained deductions, automatic subscriptions, and inconsistent coverage. He said these challenges are frequently reported by subscribers across different communities.
He added that his personal experience with recurring subscription alerts and network disruptions reinforced the need for stronger regulatory oversight. He argued that such issues demonstrate gaps in consumer protection within the telecommunications space.
Moreover, he said criticism directed at the minister often overlooks the objective of safeguarding consumers. According to him, public debate should focus on policy substance rather than political personalities.
He added that public officials advocating for fair pricing and better services should be supported as Ghana advances its digital development agenda.
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