The Ministry of Foreign Affairs And Regional Integration has rejected the call by the Minority in parliament for the resignation of Honourable Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa over Ghana’s evacuation exercise in South Africa, insisting that “there was absolutely no wrongdoing on his part and that of his ministry.”
The Ministry’s Media Relations Officer, Fred Duhoe, criticised the Minority’s position, accusing its members of advancing inconsistent claims instead of holding the Government accountable through evidence-based scrutiny.
Mr Duhoe challenged the rationale behind the resignation demand, recalling that the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Honourable Samuel Abdulai Jinapor indicated that the Minority is not accusing the minister or his ministry of wrongdoing.
“If anyone needs to resign, in any case, it should be the minority, which is still trying to find its feet, put itself together and hold the government accountable. As we speak, the ranking member at that press conference clearly shows that he was pushed by his grassroots, who are literally unhappy with his previous remarks.”
Fred Duhoe
Addressing the conflicting figures surrounding the exercise, Mr Duhoe challenged the Minority’s interpretation of the records and its call for the minister to account for people allegedly unaccounted for. He referenced media reports that have produced differing estimates, including a subsequent report indicating that the Ministry could account for more than 1,800 people with approximately 100 remaining unaccounted for.
“The minister will not in any way gag the media, not even the evacuees who came in. It was quite clear in the videos we see on social media which show these individuals granting interviews to the press so who has gagged them?”
Fred Duhoe
The Foreign Affairs Ministry’s representative argued that these discrepancies require careful examination, not conclusions based on figures that continue to change. He further questioned why the Ministry should abandon its official duties to respond to “inconsistent claims.”
Meanwhile, Mr Duhoe defended Honourable Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa’s work, explaining that the minister has travelled from Canada to Russia to engage with the Russian President and strengthen bilateral relations. He insisted that the minister is currently focused on responsibilities assigned by President John Dramani Mahama.
He urged those making allegations to substantiate their claims, maintaining that public accountability must be grounded in verifiable information. The Ministry, he indicated, would not allow the controversy to derail its diplomatic responsibilities.
In a press conference, the Minority in Parliament called for the immediate resignation of Foreign Affairs Minister, Honourable Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa over alleged irregularities in payments made to Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa.
The Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Honourable Samuel Abdulai Jinapor questioned discrepancies in the evacuation records and allegations that some returnees received GH¢2,000 instead of the announced GH¢5,500 support package.
The Minority also demanded an independent audit by a reputable accounting firm to establish the facts. The caucus also urged President John Dramani Mahama to dismiss Honourable Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa if he refuses to resign, citing Article 81(a) of the Constitution .
Foreign Affairs Ministry Invites Auditor-General To Examine Evacuation Records
In response to calls for an independent audit of Ghana’s evacuation exercise in South Africa, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs And Regional Integration has formally written to the Auditor-General to scrutinise its records, according to Media Relations Officer Fred Duhoe.
Mr Duhoe explained that the invitation reflects the Ministry’s willingness to cooperate with the constitutionally mandated auditing authority. He also indicated that the Auditor-General can involve other international bodies if considered necessary, given the international dimension of the evacuation exercise.
“We have invited the Auditor-General to come and subject us to proof, and I mean strict proof. We also want to account for the evacuation exercise we have undertaken.”
Fred Duhoe
The Media Relations Officer emphasised that the Ministry is not seeking to evade scrutiny, noting that the Auditor-General has a legal mandate to audit public institutions. He contended that the Ministry’s decision to invite the office before a routine audit demonstrates its readiness to have the records examined.
Mr Duhoe also welcomed the possibility of international assistance in the audit, should the Auditor-General determine that additional expertise would be useful. He expressed confidence in the Ministry’s handling of the evacuation, insisting that its records would withstand scrutiny.
Consequently, Mr Duhoe reiterated that the Ministry is confident in its work and is prepared to account for the operation.
