The Minority in Parliament has called on President John Dramani Mahama to immediately remove the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, accusing him of incompetence and an inability to effectively manage Ghana’s international relations.
Addressing the media, the Deputy Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, said Ghana’s foreign policy direction under the current minister was damaging the country’s national interest and international standing.
According to him, the welfare of Ghanaians and the country’s reputation on the global stage demand urgent changes at the Foreign Ministry. He accused Mr Ablakwa of lacking the temperament and diplomatic skill required to handle complex bilateral relations, arguing that the minister had focused more on public applause than delivering tangible results.
“The Minority therefore calls on the President to remove Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa from the Foreign Affairs portfolio immediately and appoint a competent diplomat with proven experience, steady judgment and a genuine commitment to Ghana’s long-term interests over personal political theatre,” Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh stated.
He said the Minority has completely lost confidence in the Foreign Minister’s ability to safeguard Ghana’s diplomatic and economic interests, particularly in light of recent developments involving the United States.
The Minority is also demanding urgent public accountability from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs within seven days. According to Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, the ministry must organise a comprehensive press conference to disclose and explain all official communications between Ghana and the United States over the past 18 months regarding migration cooperation, deportation matters and visa processing.
Additionally, the Minority is seeking clear explanations on the reasons given by Washington for placing Ghana on a list of 75 countries affected by visa-related restrictions. They are also demanding that the ministry outlines any concrete strategy it has in place to secure Ghana’s removal from the list.
Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh further called for a full accounting of remittance projections and a detailed assessment of the economic impact of the visa freeze, warning that the policy could have serious consequences for millions of Ghanaian families who rely on remittances from abroad.
“We demand immediate public accountability. Within seven days, the Foreign Ministry must hold a comprehensive press conference to address all communications between Ghana and the US regarding migration cooperation, deportation issues and visa processing over the past 18 months,” he stressed.