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A tense exchange erupted during a sitting of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) as Samuel Nartey George clashed with PAC Chairperson Abena Osei-Asare over the issue of poor telecom service delivery in Ghana.
The heated moment occurred during discussions on challenges facing telecommunication companies and measures being taken to improve mobile network quality across the country.
During the session, Sam George, who serves as Communications Minister, defended the government’s efforts to address growing complaints from Ghanaians about poor network connectivity and unreliable telecom services.
According to him, while telecom operators are private businesses focused on generating profit, government policy must ensure that consumers are protected and service standards are improved.
He argued that the current administration’s “reset agenda” was already beginning to produce positive results within the telecom sector.
“Policy decision and policy leadership ought to make sure that we took steps to protect the customer and I’m saying that we under this reset agenda and under a responsible government have done so,” he stated.
Tensions rose after the PAC Chairperson repeatedly urged the minister to go straight to the point during his submission. Sam George, however, insisted on finishing his explanation without interruptions.
“Honorable, I’m also a Member of Parliament, don’t do this. Please, I am on the floor, let me make my point,” Sam George said during the exchange.
Abena Osei-Asare responded by stressing that the committee was focused on addressing the seriousness of the telecom situation rather than engaging in political arguments.
“Minister, respectfully, this is our committee and you don’t tell us what you want to do,” she stated.
Despite the heated debate, discussions eventually shifted back to solutions being implemented to improve telecom services nationwide.
Addressing concerns about poor mobile network performance, Sam George disclosed that major telecom operators are preparing to significantly expand infrastructure across Ghana.
According to the minister, MTN Ghana is expected to roll out 800 new network sites, while Telecel Ghana will add another 350 sites in 2026.
In total, Ghana is projected to receive 1,150 new telecom sites aimed at improving network quality and reducing connectivity challenges across the country.
Sam George explained that telecom infrastructure upgrades involve several technical and logistical processes, including land acquisition, procurement of specialised equipment and regulatory approvals.
He added that the National Communications Authority (NCA) is supervising the process, with key telecom equipment expected to arrive between July and August this year.
The Communications Minister expressed confidence that Ghanaians would begin to experience noticeable improvements in network quality by the end of the third quarter moving into the fourth quarter of 2026.
“We gave that order in the first quarter of this year. It will take about three to six months. I am confident that by the end of Q3, going into Q4, we will see a remarkable improvement,” he stated.
Sam George also noted that the planned expansion represents a major increase compared to previous years, revealing that since 2016, Ghana has averaged only about 223 new telecom sites annually.
