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Minister for Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, has expressed firm confidence that he would have secured approval even if subjected to a secret ballot during his confirmation process.
His remarks follow the Minority Caucus’ decision to oppose his nomination while approving four other ministerial nominees.
The opposition, led by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, was based on Sam George’s previous criticism of former President Nana Akufo-Addo and Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
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The Majority Caucus, however, dismissed these concerns, maintaining that his nomination was justified. While the minority initially demanded a secret ballot, they later chose to abstain from voting, allowing the majority to determine his fate. A voice vote by the Second Deputy Speaker subsequently confirmed his appointment.
Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, February 8, Sam George revealed that during internal discussions, he had directly challenged Afenyo-Markin to proceed with a secret ballot, confident that he would have secured the necessary votes.
According to him, 49 out of the 88 minority MPs were prepared to vote in his favour, a reality Afenyo-Markin was fully aware of. This, he suggested, was the primary reason the minority ultimately backed down from their initial demand for a secret vote.
“I was 100 percent sure that I would not lose the vote, and Afenyo-Markin himself knows this. I dared them to take me to a secret ballot. Of his 88 members, 49 would have voted for me. That is why Afenyo-Markin, after calling for the vote, chose to abstain. He knew they didn’t have his back,” he asserted.
Sam George added that several minority MPs openly disagreed with their leadership’s decision to oppose his nomination, with some even confronting Afenyo-Markin about it.
“His members told him to his face in my presence that if he took me to a vote, 49 of his 88 members would have voted against this position because they didn’t see the wisdom in it,” he revealed.
According to the Ningo-Prampram MP, Afenyo-Markin had attempted to rally support within the minority, but many members refused to back him. By the time of the vote, fewer than 20 out of the 88 MPs remained in the chamber, signalling a significant split within the caucus.
“He tried to call them back, but they walked out. When we finally took the vote, less than 20 members were seated, while the rest had left,” he recounted.
Reflecting on the ordeal, Sam George expressed disappointment in Afenyo-Markin’s actions, describing them as a betrayal of their long-standing relationship.
“If you have people who call you brother and friend like Mr. Afenyo-Markin used to, and this is the kind of friendship and brotherhood, then you don’t need enemies,” he remarked.
Despite the opposition, Sam George has now secured his ministerial role, emphasising his commitment to delivering on his mandate and improving Ghana’s communications and digital economy.
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