President John Dramani Mahama has described Minister for Foreign Affairs and North Tongu Member of Parliament Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa as one of the hardest working ministers in his administration, crediting him with delivering key diplomatic successes while remaining committed to the development of his constituency.
The President made the remarks in Juapong during the opening of his Resetting Ghana Tour in the Volta Region. Speaking at the sod cutting ceremony for the construction of a Category Four 24 Hour Economy Model Market, he praised the Foreign Affairs Minister’s work on both the international and local fronts.
President Mahama used the occasion to commend Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa for what he described as exceptional dedication to public service. Introducing the North Tongu legislator, he said, “Your member of parliament, our hard working Minister of Foreign Affairs, indeed, I mean being here, I must tell you that he is among my hardest working ministers.”
The President added that many of the achievements associated with his administration’s international engagements were made possible through the Foreign Minister’s persistent efforts. “And every credit that I have attained on the international scene, it is he who has done the legwork,” he said.
President Mahama cited Ghana’s successful campaign for the United Nations resolution on reparations as one of the Minister’s notable accomplishments. “The UN resolution on reparations, it was him who did all the travelling to convince the 123 countries to vote for us,” he stated.
He also praised Ablakwa’s role in coordinating the repatriation of Ghanaians from South Africa during a period when some citizens were reportedly attacked and forced to leave. “The repatriation of our citizens from South Africa, who were being chased away and beaten, was led by him, who did the legwork. He arranged the charters plane to airlift our citizens safely home,” President Mahama said.
Deep Freezers for Affected Women
Beyond his diplomatic responsibilities, the President said Ablakwa had also taken practical steps to support traders affected by the market redevelopment. He announced that the Foreign Affairs Minister had acquired 100 deep freezers for distribution to women displaced by the project.
“And so, Torgui Worgbedzi, I wish to commend you very highly,” President Mahama said. The intervention is intended to help traders preserve food products and maintain their businesses while construction of the new market continues.
President Mahama also assured traders displaced by the market project that they would receive priority when stores and lockable shops are allocated after construction is completed.
“I want to thank our mothers and our daughters who were affected by the dislocation to site this market here. And to assure them that when the market is finished, they will be given priority in the acquisition of the stores and the local bookshops. We have to give to those who were displaced before we consider other people”.
President John Dramani Mahama
The assurance formed part of the government’s effort to ensure that residents who sacrificed for the project benefit directly from the new commercial facility.
Ablakwa Responds with Humility
Responding to the President’s remarks, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa expressed gratitude and said he was deeply humbled by the recognition. “I finally want to thank President Mahama for those kind words. President Mahama has already completed my 2028 campaign. I thank him very much, and I’m so humbled by them,” he said, drawing laughter from the audience.
The Foreign Affairs Minister, however, redirected the praise to President Mahama, comparing the relationship between a leader and his ministers to that of a football coach and players.
“But you see, what we must all say is that as a footballer on the field, when you have a great coach, the credit belongs to the coach. He is the one who knows how to deploy you, whether to play 7 or 9 or 10 or 11, when to bring you in, the guidance.”
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Foreign Affairs Minister
He continued, “So even though President Mahama is trying hard to say I do the legwork, he really is a champion. He is the visionary. He is the guide. He is the coach. And we really, as cabinet ministers, are grateful to him.“
Tribute to the President’s Leadership
Hon. Ablakwa also offered an insight into the atmosphere within Cabinet, describing President Mahama as a leader with an exceptional grasp of a wide range of national issues.
“At the last cabinet meeting, we were asking him, really, what doesn’t he know? From law to engineering to agriculture to foreign affairs to local government. Any topic, he is an expert. And as his minister, you better be on top of your game. If not, you’ll be exposed, and you may just end up in a sack.”
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Foreign Affairs Minister
He concluded by describing President Mahama as “an amazing, remarkable, outstanding statesman and public officer extraordinaire,” adding that members of the administration draw inspiration from his leadership. “We cannot thank him enough,” Hon. Ablakwa said.
The exchange between the President and his Foreign Affairs Minister underscored both the administration’s emphasis on teamwork and its commitment to delivering development projects while pursuing Ghana’s interests on the international stage.
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