Hot Source…Threatens legal action
The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, has formally demanded a retraction and apology from New Patriotic Party (NPP) activist P.K. Sarpong, over what he describes as false and defamatory claims.
He is contesting allegations that he received a luxury Lexus vehicle, as a gift from a businessman, in violation of President John Dramani Mahama’s newly introduced Code of Conduct for government appointees.
He has since produced two critical letters from Parliament and the Finance Ministry to support his position that he did nothing wrong.
They were dated December 20, 2024 and January 3, 2025, respectively. One was signed by Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, Abena Osei-Asare, an appointee of ex-President Nana Akufo-Addo.
In a recent Facebook post, Sarpong, alleged that Mr George was using an “unregistered vehicle,” described as a “top-of-the-range Lexus,” which he claimed had been gifted to the Minister by an unnamed businessman.
The post, with a video, was published, following Mr George’s official visit to Airteligo’s headquarters.
During this visit, he was seen arriving in a Lexus SUV, as part of a convoy that, included a dispatch rider.
However, in an interview with The Herald, Mr George, clarified that the vehicle bore a DV (dealer vehicle) registration plate, which is legally permitted for newly acquired vehicles.
Sarpong suggested that the vehicle constituted an improper gift and thus breached the President’s directive discouraging public officials from accepting gifts that could result in a conflict of interest.
Through his solicitors, Korsah & Ackah @ Law, Mr George has strongly refuted the allegations, labelling them as “defamatory and injurious.”
In a legal notice dated Tuesday, 20 May, the Minister’s lawyers demanded that Sarpong delete the Facebook post, publicly retract the claim, and issue an unqualified apology within seven days.
“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,” the letter stated.
The notice also warned of legal consequences should Sarpong fail to comply, including the filing of a defamation lawsuit.
Mr George clarified that the vehicle in question, a 2024 Lexus LX600, was acquired through a legitimate loan facility offered by the National Investment Bank (NIB) under the Ghana Government and Parliamentary Service scheme for Members of Parliament. He insisted the acquisition process was both legal and transparent.
The President’s newly established Code of Conduct mandates that any gift with an estimated value exceeding GH₵20,000 received by a government appointee must be declared, in a bid to promote transparency and accountability in public service.
At the time of publication, P.K. Sarpong had not responded publicly to the legal notice.
Taking to Facebook once again, Mr George wrote: “To Mr P.K. Sarpong,
I have decided to let the world see how dishonest and untruthful you are. I am a serving Member of Parliament of Ghana who is entitled to a car loan.
How a vehicle I purchased under that scheme becomes a gift from a businessman can only be described as a vile, evil and dishonest claim.
As a public officer, I am committed to full disclosure and transparency. Apologise or prepare to face the consequences before the law.”
To support his position, Mr George shared two official letters—one from Parliament and another from the Ministry of Finance.
The first, signed by the Clerk to Parliament, Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, confirmed that Mr George had purchased the vehicle under the Parliamentary loan scheme and had sought deferment of statutory charges to facilitate the clearing of the car.
The Parliamentary Service letter stated: “Hon. Samuel Nartey George, Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, has, under the Ghana Government and Parliamentary Service loan facility scheme with the National Investment Bank, purchased one unit of a 2024 Lexus LX600 with chassis number JTJAB7CX5R4061993 from the United States of America… Upon completion of the process, the above-mentioned vehicle will be registered in the joint names of the Hon. Member of Parliament and the National Investment Bank.”
The accompanying letter from the Ministry of Finance, signed by Minister of State Abena Osei-Asare, confirmed the approval of a tax exemption for the vehicle in accordance with Article 174(2) of the Constitution.
The letter noted: “Approval of exemption from payment of Import Duties, VAT, GETFund, NHIL, ECOWAS and EXIM Levies, COVID-19 Recovery Levy, Inspection Fee, AU Levy, Special Import Levy and Withholding Tax (IRS Tax Deposit) has been granted to Hon. Samuel Nartey George, MP, to clear the above-mentioned vehicle.”
In a subsequent phone conversation with The Herald, Mr George reiterated that the Lexus was his personal vehicle, acquired as part of his parliamentary entitlements.
“I drove my personal vehicle, the Lexus. The Chief Director was in the Prado. I had the media and some Directors sitting in the official Land Cruiser of the Minister,” he explained.
He further added that at the time of the AirtelTigo visit, the vehicle had been in his possession for just three days and had a valid DV plate on display.
He said: “That was my Parliamentary vehicle for my second term. I bought it at the end of the term, and delivery was made later. The records would show the details of the car I bought as a Parliamentarian. Parliament requires VIN and chassis numbers before one can get a tax exemption.
“As an MP, I am entitled to tax exemption through the Ministry of Finance. To receive that exemption, I must present the bill of lading and proof of purchase to the Clerk of Parliament. The documents include the VIN and chassis number of the vehicle. It is based on these that the Finance Ministry grants the exemption. When the car arrives, Customs only clears the vehicle with exemption if the VIN and chassis match.”
Mr George maintains that he has acted in accordance with all legal and ethical requirements and considers Sarpong’s claims as a calculated attempt to malign his integrity.
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