In the latest twist in Ghana’s political accountability discourse, questions continue to mount over a vehicle loan involving Sam George, the newly appointed Minister for Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovations.
Responding to legal threats from the minister, Patrick Kwarteng Sarpong, a New Patriotic Party (NPP) supporter and fellow at the Institute of Economic Research and Public Policy, has stood by a controversial social media post that has stirred public debate.
Sarpong emphasized that his original comments were not made to defame Sam George, but rather in pursuit of transparency. “I only made the post in the interest of the Ghanaian public.”
According to Sarpong, he had access to information he believed to be factual and felt a duty to raise public awareness.
“I have been following discussions on social media and all the mainstream media platforms with regards to the post I made about Sam Dzata George, the Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, for which he served me notice to retract and apologize for the same.”
Patrick Kwarteng Sarpong
Although the Minister has dismissed Sarpong’s allegations and formally requested a retraction and apology, Sarpong maintained that several critical issues are still unresolved.
He argued that the documents shared so far have only led to additional concerns that warrant further clarification from Hon. Sam George.
Sarpong cited a document timeline that he believes warrants scrutiny.
He noted that a letter from Parliament to the Ministry of Finance was dated December 20, 2024, while the Ministry’s response granting tax exemption came on January 3, 2025 — well after the eighth Parliament had expired. “To all intents and purposes, the vehicle was cleared from the port after the NDC came into office.”
This leads to one of Sarpong’s main contentions: If the loan was granted under the eighth Parliament, which ended in 2024, how could the vehicle purchase have been justified for parliamentary duties under the ninth Parliament?
Full Disclosure Demanded
Patrick Sarpong also raised concerns about the timing and intended use of the USD 100,000 car loan, which was disbursed in 2021.
He noted that Sam George appeared to have delayed its utilization for nearly four years, questioning the rationale behind the long wait and implying that the funds may not have been used as originally intended.
Adding to the controversy, Sarpong claimed the Lexus vehicle in question is valued at over USD 200,000 — far beyond the original loan amount.
He asked, “Where did he get the money to top up?” and went further to highlight the tax exemption of USD 41,000 that accompanied the purchase. “The honourable member sleeps well when the poor Ghanaian is denied this much revenue?”
Sarpong argued that these details undermine the intent of such parliamentary car loans, which are supposed to aid MPs in their official duties. “The state gives car loans to MPs to aid their work and not for their personal enjoyment.”
He insisted that Sam George is now using a vehicle procured under a previous administration for his current parliamentary role — an act Sarpong calls ethically questionable.
Sarpong also scrutinized the documents shared by Sam George on social media, arguing that they do not adequately resolve the key issues at hand.
He called for further documentation to shed light on the timeline and the approval process, specifically requesting the original letter sent to the Clerk of Parliament that he believes could provide comprehensive clarification.
Calls Mount For Sam George’s Accountability
Furthermore, P.K. Sarpong pressed for greater transparency by posing a series of pointed questions regarding the vehicle procurement process.
He sought details about the vendor selected for the car loan transaction, including the vendor’s identity, the timing of the payment, and the exact date the vehicle was delivered to the Minister.
Sarpong also requested a copy of the official letter sent to the Ministry of Finance seeking approval for the tax exemption.
“These questions aim to provide clear answers to resolve the matter at hand. I am of the belief that our Honourable Minister would provide responses to these queries.”
Patrick Kwarteng Sarpong
The political atmosphere surrounding this issue remains tense, especially given the legal implications and the Minister’s own public responses.
While Sam George maintained that all actions taken were lawful and properly documented, the pressure to provide additional proof could grow as the matter garners more public attention.
As Sarpong holds firm in his position, the spotlight is likely to remain fixed on Sam George and the procedures that govern MPs’ access to financial benefits.
In an era where citizens are demanding greater transparency, this case may serve as a litmus test for political accountability in Ghana’s evolving democracy.
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