Minister for Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations as well as Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Samuel Nartey George, has shared his experience campaigning against the late Emmanuel Tettey Mensah in 2015.
According to him, he was seen as arrogant and disrespectful, as the person he was competing with for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidacy for Ningo-Prampram was much older and experienced.
While delivering a speech at VL Exposure 2025 event held on August 30 at the British Council in Accra, Sam George said, “The person I went up against in the primaries was an institution. When we were in primary school we learnt about him. And then now I say I am going to contest that person. Everybody said I was a madman.”
Sam George shared that when he started campaigning in January 2015, he was seen as a young arrogant boy running all over the place and many dismissed his bid, citing his age and inexperience.
“He was more than twice my age. I was 30 at the time, he was 70. And a lot of the people going to vote were largely older people connected with him,” he stated.
Adding, “They had been in the party with him all this while, and here was this kid who had just come 2 years ago running around like some crazy atom, excited electron all over the place, misbehaving and then now he says he is contesting the Godfather. ‘Who are you?’ ”
Sam George said that he was advised to wait until he was about 50 or 60 years before seeking such an office. He said he was backed by a group of young supporters, and they were dismissed as arrogant and disrespectful.
“That’s a typical Ghanaian thing. When they can’t deal with your energy, they brand you arrogant and disrespectful. Me, I’ve worn it as a badge, call me whatever, I don’t care. I have owned it.”
It was at this point, he said,, he sat down and decided to brand himself as ‘Dzata’ or lion.
“What is it that I have going for me? My energy, my drive, my conviction. The fact that I will tear down any wall to get what I want. I don’t take no for an answer. I will push you to your limit,” he stated.
Sam Dzata George further explained, “How do I get them to appreciate what I am and what I represent and embrace it? The lion defines that for me. The lion is king of everything he sees. The lion is not the fastest, smartest or swiftest animal, but the lion has got presence.”
Sam George went on to win the parliamentary seat and has served as the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram since 2017.
