Minister of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations, Mr Samuel Nartey George, has clarified that an alleged GH¢6.7 million payment to Smart Infraco Limited occurred before his tenure and under the supervision of his predecessor.
Appearing before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in Parliament, the Minister stated that the transaction, made in December 2023, did not happen under his administration.
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The amount in question, GH¢6,755,174.94, was reported as payment for a connectivity platform, but auditors flagged the transaction for lacking supporting documentation, proof of service delivery, and expenditure justification.
Mr George reaffirmed that his ministry is committed to transparency and is working with auditors to establish the truth.
He told the Committee:
“Just so the records bear us out, this did not happen under Sam George but at the Ministry by my predecessor in 2023.”
He added that the Ministry is awaiting verification from the Audit Service:
“If they verify the amount, that will bring closure. But if they raise queries, we will need to dig further into the matter.”
When informed that Smart Infraco denied receiving any payment, the Minister underscored that his loyalty lies with the state and the Auditor-General’s findings—not with any private entity.
“My fidelity is to the state, not to any company. The Auditor-General’s report forms the basis of my decision-making. If a private company disagrees, they can seek redress in court.”
