The Minister of Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, has described claims by the MP for Ningo Prampram, Sam George, that the government acquired AirtelTigo for US$25 million as a “blatant untruth”.
Owusu-Ekuful questions why her fellow MP should struggle to believe that the government could negotiate such a good deal for just a dollar.
She has since asked the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) lawmaker to tell Ghanaians the source for his claim that the acquisition cost $25 million.
“Some people find it very difficult to believe we can negotiate good deals for government. I signed the AirtelTigo contract. We acquired it for just a dollar. Someone, an MP, says he heard me say we paid $25 million. A barefaced lie …. blatant untruth,” the minister posted on Facebook on Monday 26 April.
She added: “Please ask Sam George where he heard that. Then sit back and listen to long English grammar and drama …. just keep your eyes on the ball. How much did we pay to acquire the company? 1 dollar, simple!!”
Meanwhile, the Ningo-Prampram MP has asked the minister to prepare to account for the deal when she faces Parliament’s communications committee.
“Someone tell our Minister for Communications that grand posturing and arrogant clap backs would not stop us on the Parliamentary Committee of Communications and the good people of Ghana from demanding accountability from her,” he responded, also on Facebook.
“What does she take us for?” George wrote. “That she bought AirtelTigo for $1? How much is the eyebrow pencil she uses to draw her eyebrows and she thinks she can insult our intelligence?
“Madam, after basking in the fake fans of your social media followers, prepare to appear before the Committee and give us details of the transactions.
“We would not allow the already burdened taxpayers of our country to be saddled with poorly thought-out decisions that impose more debt or hardship on us. Our eyes are fixed on the ball and I urge you to do same. No long talk.”
Fred Dzakpata
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