Samuel Nartey George
Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has fired back at allegations circulating on social media that he accepted a luxury Lexus vehicle as a personal gift—an act purportedly in breach of a presidential directive on ethics for government officials.
The claim, made in a Facebook post by P.K. Sarpong, alleged that the Member of Parliament was cruising around in an unregistered “top-of-the-range Lexus” gifted to him, despite a recent code of conduct issued by President John Dramani Mahama warning government appointees against accepting personal gifts.
But in a strongly worded legal response, lawyers for Mr. George have dismissed the post as “categorically false,” describing it as defamatory and designed to smear the minister’s reputation. The minister is demanding an immediate retraction, a public apology, and the removal of the post, warning that failure to comply by May 27, 2025, will result in a defamation suit.
“You are fully aware that your publication is devoid of truth,” the cease-and-desist letter from Mr. George’s legal team reads. “Nonetheless, you have proceeded to make this misinformation public, with the apparent intention of tarnishing the hard-earned reputation of our client.”
The letter continues: “Such conduct is defamatory and injurious. Our client did not receive any Lexus vehicle as a gift, and any suggestion to that effect is a complete fabrication.”
P.K. Sarpong, in his original post, claimed he was withholding the identity of the supposed benefactor of the vehicle “for now,” but called on President Mahama to act, writing: “Dear President John Dramani Mahama, Let me repeat, this unregistered Lexus your appointee is using is a gift to him!”
A video of the vehicle in question has since gone viral on social media, fueling speculation and drawing commentary across political lines.
Meanwhile, the minister’s legal team insists the post is not only misleading but a deliberate attempt to violate his client’s dignity and public standing. They are demanding a full retraction in the same format and to the same audience as the original post.