A Public Accounts Committee (PAC) sitting turned tense on Monday, May 18, 2026, when Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, clashed with Committee Chairperson Abena Osei-Asare over alleged poor service delivery by MTN Ghana.
The heated exchange occurred when the Minister attributed challenges in the telecommunications sector to what he described as weak policy decisions, poor governance, and leadership gaps under the previous Akufo-Addo administration.
“Private businesses are about making profits, and those profits they paid to you over eight years at the Finance Ministry as corporate taxes,” Sam George said, addressing the Chairperson directly.
He added that the current government, under its “reset agenda,” had taken steps to protect customers.
Abena Osei-Asare, who served as a Minister of State at the Finance Ministry in the previous administration, interrupted the Minister, cautioning him against making what she termed offensive remarks and urging him to stick to the point.
“I am not heckling you, but we beg you, just go straight to the point,” she said.
The intervention prompted a sharp rebuke from the Minister, who appealed to the Ranking Member, Samuel Atta Mills, who was presiding over the sitting, to call the Chairperson to order.
“This is unbecoming of a Member of Parliament, please stop doing this. You have asked a question, I have the floor, you will let me answer the question. Let me finish. If it is your committee then don’t invite us. Respectfully, let me land,” Sam George stated.
The Chairperson maintained that her intervention was only meant to ensure focus and clarity, insisting she was not trying to undermine the Minister.
“When you come here and we address issues, it is not that we want to talk anybody down, never. But Minister, the situation is serious and that is all the sentiments I am trying to put across,” she responded.
The brief disruption was quickly brought under control, and the PAC session resumed its proceedings.