Diplomatic missions play a crucial role in maintaining international relations, promoting national interests, and fostering cooperation between countries.
However, their effectiveness is contingent upon their ability to remain neutral and impartial.
In Ghana, diplomatic missions must avoid engaging in partisan politics to preserve diplomatic protocols, maintain credibility, and achieve their objectives.
Accordingly, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has criticized the government for alleged abuse of power and disregard for diplomatic protocols.
Hon. Ablakwa expressed concerns regarding the use of the Foreign Ministry for partisan political gains, based on an intercepted diplomatic letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“No country misdirects its Foreign Ministry to invite top diplomats to a partisan campaign event”.
“Foreign Ministries everywhere remain professional even during campaigns and resist any temptation to be seen as an appendage of a political party”.
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Ablakwa emphasized that diplomatic missions in Ghana should prioritize their core objectives, focusing on building relationships with government institutions and engaging with all political parties and stakeholders in an impartial manner.
He also stressed the importance of these missions seeking guidance from their home country’s foreign ministry to ensure their actions align with established diplomatic protocols.
He indicated that by doing so, they can avoid the risks associated with partisan politics and achieve their goals.
The Member of Parliament noted that this is the first time in Ghana’s history that the Foreign Ministry has been compelled to invite diplomatic heads and honorary consulates to a partisan campaign event.
He strongly condemned this act, emphasizing the inappropriateness of politicizing the Ministry’s functions.
According to Hon. Ablakwa, the Bawumia campaign should have directly extended invitations to the top diplomats for their event, rather than relying on the Foreign Ministry to do so.
He maintained that this approach would have been more appropriate, as it would not have involved the Ministry in partisan political activities.
Politicizing Diplomacy: A Threat to Neutrality
Furthermore, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa stated that engaging diplomatic missions in partisan politics can compromise the neutrality and impartiality of diplomatic missions, damaging their credibility and trustworthiness.
As such, partisan political engagement can undermine the democratic process, create conflict, and compromise national interests.
“Is the Ministry of Foreign of Affairs and Regional Integration therefore suggesting that the NDC, CPP or any other party or presidential campaign can now ask them to organize diplomats for them?”
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Hon. Ablakwa revealed that a significant number of diplomats have expressed profound disappointment and dismay over the recent events involving Ghana’s Foreign Ministry.
He indicated that the Ministry, once held in high esteem, has been dragged into a partisan campaign event, compromising its neutrality and integrity.
This desecration, the astute lawmaker noted, has tarnished the Ministry’s reputation, causing widespread disapproval among the diplomatic community.
The diplomats’ strong reaction is a testament to the gravity of the situation, highlighting the need for the Ministry to maintain its impartiality and uphold the principles of diplomatic protocol.
Hon. Ablakwa expressed his ardent hope that esteemed serving and retired Ghanaian diplomats will collectively rise up to condemn and resist the debasement of the Foreign Ministry.
He urged them to take a stand against this unacceptable politicization, which undermines the Ministry’s integrity and reputation.
Hon. Ablakwa emphasized that Ghana is in dire need of a reset, implying a comprehensive transformation to rectify the current state of affairs.
This reset would involve a return to the country’s founding principles, a revival of its institutions, and a restoration of the trust and integrity that have been eroded.
He indicated that it would require a collective effort to rebuild and revitalize the nation, ensuring that Ghana regains its footing and embarks on a path of progress, prosperity, and true democracy.
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