Minority wants Ablakwa out over South Africa Evacuation Payment

Story By: Deborah Adorsu

The Minority in Parliament is demanding the immediate resignation of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, over alleged financial irregularities in the evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa.

The demand was made at a press conference at Parliament on Tuesday, October 27, by the Ranking Member on the Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel Abdulai Jinapor.

According to the Minority, at least three evacuees have come forward to say they received GH¢2,000 instead of the GH¢5,500 support package announced by government.

The package comprised GH¢5,000 as reintegration support and GH¢500 for transport.

Mr Jinapor said documents obtained from the Ministry through a Right to Information request point to deeper problems, including duplicate names on the payment list, payments recorded without signatures and expenditure without receipts.

He quoted Section 2.1(j) of President John Dramani Mahama’s 2025 Code of Conduct for Political Appointees, which he said requires a Minister to resign when his actions lead to significant failure or breach of public trust.

“Given the gravity of these revelations and in order to ensure an impartial investigation, we call on the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, to resign immediately. His handling of this exercise has brought his high office into disrepute,” Mr Jinapor stated.

The Minority is also asking President Mahama to terminate the Minister’s appointment if he refuses to step down, citing Article 81(a) of the 1992 Constitution.

It further wants a comprehensive independent audit of the evacuation exercise by an internationally reputable accounting firm.

The Minority dismissed suggestions that it had influenced evacuees to speak against government, insisting the affected persons came forward voluntarily.

It also questioned reports that officials of the Ghana High Commission in Pretoria had warned evacuees against speaking to the media.

Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has denied any wrongdoing.

Speaking from Ottawa, Canada, he maintained that every evacuee, including minors, received the full GH¢5,500 and that no complaint was lodged at the airport or in the months following the exercise.