The Parliamentary Opposition has levied accusations against the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, asserting that he has purportedly sought to procure receipts for the purpose of obscuring financial irregularities pertaining to the evacuation of Ghanaian nationals from South Africa.
The Opposition contends that the Minister is engaged in negotiations to obtain documentation that would substantiate specific expenditures incurred during the evacuation operation, maintaining that such conduct raises substantial questions regarding fiscal transparency and governmental accountability in the administration of state resources.
Consequently, the Opposition has formally petitioned President John Dramani Mahama to compel Ablakwa’s resignation or to revoke his ministerial appointment, emphasizing that his continued tenure in office poses a risk to the integrity and independence of any forthcoming audit examination of the evacuation undertaking.
In remarks delivered to the media, Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, the Deputy Ranking Member of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, asserted that the Minister was actively pursuing receipts to address inquiries submitted by the Opposition regarding the financial dimensions of the operation.
“He maintains his position in office while withholding information, and we possess reliable knowledge that he continues to engage in negotiations and appeals for receipts to be furnished to him to mitigate certain matters that we have brought to attention.
“Consequently, we maintain that an individual engaged in such conduct should not retain office and should instead relinquish his position. Therefore, our sole request to President John Dramani Mahama is to direct him to tender his resignation or to effect the termination of his appointment.”
The Opposition asserts that permitting Ablakwa to maintain his ministerial position whilst concerns regarding the evacuation remain unresolved could generate apprehensions regarding the impartiality of any subsequent examination into the matter.
