Samuel Nartey George, the Communications Minister-designate, has made it clear that his administration will tackle the growing issue of misinformation head-on, particularly from some members of the Minority caucus in Parliament. The Ningo Prampram MP, who is awaiting swearing-in by the President, responded strongly to allegations of fake news being spread about him, promising swift action to combat it.
A Bold Stand Against Fake News
In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), Samuel George addressed concerns raised by a user about fake news. The user expressed frustration over misinformation being spread, especially by public figures like Members of Parliament who are expected to uphold the law. In his response, George emphasized that it was a deliberate attempt by some members of the Minority to spread misleading information. He assured the public that his administration would take decisive action against such behavior.
George said, “It is a deliberate attempt by some members on the Minority to engage in active (dis) misinformation. That would be dealt with decisively going forward. Thanks.”
The Fake Image Controversy
The issue of fake news became more evident following a fake image that went viral on social media just hours before George’s approval as Communications Minister. The edited image depicted George on his phone watching explicit content while in the House of Parliament. The fabricated image quickly gained traction, with some critics, including former Lands Minister Samuel Abu Jinapor, publicly criticizing George and urging him to be cautious about his behavior in Parliament.
In response, Samuel George didn’t back down. He swiftly shared the real image on his social media account, showing him using his phone to read and respond to WhatsApp messages, not watching inappropriate content as claimed.
Setting the Record Straight
Samuel George was firm in his statement, assuring Ghanaians that the days of spreading misinformation and fake news would soon come to an end. He also promised to implement stronger regulations within the Ministry of Communications to address misinformation and disinformation in the media space.
George further pointed out that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) seemed to be threatened by his nomination as Communications Minister, which he believes led to the smear campaign. “After failing to mobilize their own Caucus to vote against my nomination, they have resorted to smear campaigns and fake photos,” he added.
Moving Forward
As the Communications Minister-designate prepares for his role, it’s clear that tackling fake news will be a top priority for him. In the coming weeks, expect a stricter approach to controlling misinformation and ensuring the media space remains transparent and credible.