Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram and Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has dragged political commentator P.K. Sarpong to court over what he describes as a “false, malicious and defamatory” social media post.
In a writ filed at the High Court in Accra on June 2, 2025, the lawmaker is demanding GH¢5,000,000.00 in general, aggravated and/or exemplary damages, following the defendant’s failure to retract and apologise for alleging that he received an unregistered Lexus vehicle as a gift.
The suit stems from a May 19, 2025, Facebook post by P.K. Sarpong, also known as “Whispers,” in which he wrote:
“Dear President John Dramani Mahama! This top of the range Lexus your Minister for Communications, Sam Dzata George, is driving is a gift from someone to him. You recently launched a code of ethics for your appointees to stay away from such things. Let me repeat, this unregistered Lexus your appointee is using is a gift to him!”
Sam George, in his statement of claim, described the allegations as “entirely false, fabricated by the Defendant, and deliberately calculated to disparage the Plaintiff.”
He added that the statements were “malicious in nature and were clearly intended—and would reasonably be understood—to convey meanings that lower the Plaintiff in the estimation of right-thinking members of society.”
The video accompanying the Facebook post, according to the writ, had amassed over 60,000 views by May 29, 2025, and was widely republished by news portals, compounding the reputational damage.
The MP said the post led to “public scandal, ridicule, emotional distress, and embarrassment,” and that friends, family, and associates from around the world contacted him “to enquire about the contents of the said post.”
“The Defendant acted with gross recklessness in publishing the defamatory statements, offering no scintilla of evidence to substantiate his claims,” the writ states.
“Despite being made aware by the Plaintiff that the statements were false, the Defendant has failed and/or refused to offer an apology or retraction.”
The plaintiff’s lawyers earlier issued a formal letter on May 20, 2025, demanding a retraction and an unqualified apology, but according to the writ, “the Defendant has failed, neglected, and/or refused to comply.”
Sam George is, therefore, seeking the following reliefs:
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A declaration that the statements are defamatory;
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GH¢5 million in damages;
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A perpetual injunction against future defamatory statements;
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An order for the defendant to publish a retraction and apology “with the same coverage, means, and prominence” as the original post;
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Any other relief the court may deem just and proper.
The court has given P.K. Sarpong eight days from the date of service to enter appearance, or judgment may be entered in default.
“You cannot fabricate stories without consequences,” Sam George said, warning that online falsehoods in Ghana’s political discourse must be checked through lawful means.
By: Ekow Annan/newsalertgh.com
