Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has strongly denied allegations that he has awarded a renovation contract for the country’s embassy in Benin at a cost of US$5.2 million, describing the claims as false and baseless.
In a statement, Hon. Ablakwa urged the public to “treat with utter contempt” the reports circulating on some platforms, insisting that not only are they fabricated, but they also stand in direct contradiction to his record since assuming office.
“For the record, I have not awarded any embassy renovation contract anywhere in the world. Let me be clear — not a single embassy renovation or construction contract has been awarded by me since I became Foreign Minister.”
Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
The Foreign Minister emphasized that his approach to managing Ghana’s diplomatic infrastructure has been the exact opposite of what the allegations suggest.
Instead of authorizing new contracts, Hon. Ablakwa disclosed that he has canceled an existing one he deemed to be an abuse of public funds. He revealed that shortly after assuming office, he annulled a US$3.5 million single-source contract for renovation works at Ghana’s embassy in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
“That contract, which was awarded on November 7, 2024, under very questionable circumstances, was terminated because it did not meet the standards of transparency and accountability that the Ghanaian people rightfully demand. On the contrary, I have rather protected taxpayers by canceling that single-source midnight contract.”
Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
The Minister’s comments come at a time when issues of public accountability and fiscal discipline are under close scrutiny, particularly in relation to President John Dramani Mahama’s Reset Agenda.
Commitment to Key Principles of Good Governance
Hon. Ablakwa underscored that his stewardship at the Foreign Ministry will be guided strictly by the principles of integrity, transparency, and accountability.
“I shall never betray the trust of the Ghanaian people as we work tirelessly, and with integrity, to achieve President Mahama’s Reset Agenda”.
Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
The North Tongu Member of Parliament, who has built a reputation for taking strong positions against mismanagement of state resources, suggested that the false claims could be part of a deliberate attempt to smear his image and undermine the government’s reform program. However, he insisted that such tactics will not derail his commitment to protecting the public purse.
The Minister’s swift rebuttal appears aimed not only at setting the record straight but also at reassuring the public that his administration will not tolerate waste or clandestine dealings in the execution of contracts.
His emphasis on canceling rather than awarding questionable projects aligns with the broader theme of the Reset Agenda, which prioritizes restoring credibility to governance and rebuilding public trust in state institutions.
Ghana’s embassies’ renovation and construction projects have, in the past, attracted controversy, particularly over issues of procurement processes and cost inflation.
Hon. Ablakwa’s insistence on halting such contracts, unless they meet strict standards of value for money, reflects a policy shift towards greater prudence in managing Ghana’s foreign missions.
For many, the Minister’s statement reinforces his long-standing advocacy for transparency in public life, a trait he consistently demonstrated during his years as a legislator and ranking member on parliament’s foreign affairs and assurance committees.
His categorical denial of the Benin contract claims and his disclosure of canceling the Abidjan deal may therefore be seen as part of a broader effort to demonstrate early commitment to the administration’s anti-corruption credentials.
While the origins of the US$5.2 million Benin embassy claim remain unclear, Hon. Ablakwa’s response leaves little room for ambiguity about his position.
For him, fiscal responsibility and accountability remain paramount, and he appears determined to use his office to set a precedent of integrity in the conduct of foreign affairs.
READ ALSO: Engineers & Planners Acquires Black Volta and Sankofa Gold Concessions
