A tense exchange unfolded at the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) sitting on Monday, May 18, between the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, and Committee Chairperson Abena Osei-Asare, over concerns about the quality of telecom services in Ghana.
The disagreement arose after the Minister linked challenges in the telecommunications sector to what he described as weak policy decisions and leadership shortcomings under the previous Akufo-Addo administration.
He argued that while private telecom operators exist to make profits, government policy must ensure stronger protection for consumers. He added that recent reforms under the current administration were aimed at addressing these gaps.
Tensions escalated when Abena Osei-Asare, who previously served as a Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, interjected during the Minister’s response. She urged him to remain focused and avoid what she considered inappropriate remarks, stressing the need for clarity in his submissions.
Her intervention prompted a sharp reaction from the Minister, who called for order from the Ranking Member chairing the session, Samuel Atta Mills. He accused the Committee Chairperson of disrupting proceedings and described her conduct as inappropriate for an MP, insisting that he be allowed to complete his response.
Abena Osei-Asare, however, maintained that her interruption was not intended to derail the discussion but to ensure that the issues under review remained focused and properly addressed.
Despite the brief disruption, proceedings later continued after tempers cooled.
