The Government of Ghana says it is providing full consular assistance to Hon. Ohene Kwame Frimpong, Member of Parliament for Asante Akim North, who is currently being held in the Netherlands following a United States extradition request.
Foreign Affairs Minister, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, disclosed this at a media briefing in Accra on Monday, saying Ghana’s diplomatic mission is actively engaged to ensure the MP’s rights are protected throughout the legal process.
Detention at Schiphol Airport
According to the Minister, Hon. Frimpong was detained by Dutch immigration authorities at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam on 10th May 2026 upon arrival in the Netherlands.
“Following his detention, our Mission in The Hague has taken up the matter and is offering consular assistance to the Honourable Member,” Ablakwa stated. “They are coordinating with his family, his legal representatives as well as relevant Dutch authorities to ensure that he is treated in accordance with internationally recognized standards and that his rights are not violated.”
Consular visit and engagement with Dutch authorities
The Foreign Affairs Minister revealed that he personally visited the detained lawmaker.
“I can confirm that on 24th May, 2026, I personally paid the Hon. MP a consular visit in The Hague,” he said. “I also note that he was doing quite well when I engaged him and I had the opportunity of interacting with his lawyer during the visit.”
In addition to the direct visit, the Minister said the issue was raised at a bilateral level with the Dutch government.
“During the visit of the Dutch Minister for Justice and Security, H.E. David Van Weel, on 21st July, 2026, he stated that the Dutch government commits to due process and will ensure that his rights are respected,” Ablakwa told journalists.
The MP’s detention is linked to an extradition request from the United States, though the Minister did not provide further details on the charges or the nature of the US request. The case is currently before Dutch judicial authorities.
“Every Ghanaian is entitled to consular protection”
Hon. Ablakwa used the opportunity to reiterate Government’s policy on consular support for Ghanaians abroad.
“The Government of Ghana will continue to provide consular support to all Ghanaian citizens abroad, irrespective of their political affiliation, social status or the nature of the legal challenges they may face,” he stressed.
“Every Ghanaian is entitled to consular protection and assistance from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ghana’s diplomatic missions whenever they encounter difficulties outside the country.”
The Minister added that Ghana’s Embassy in The Hague will maintain close monitoring of the proceedings and continue to liaise with the MP’s family and legal team until the matter is resolved.
Parliament and constituency response
News of the MP’s detention has generated considerable interest in the Asante Akim North Constituency and within Parliament. Hon. Frimpong, a first-term MP, has been active in parliamentary proceedings since assuming office.
Parliamentary protocols allow for a member to be absent due to legal or health reasons, with due notification to the Speaker. The Majority and Minority leaderships are yet to issue a formal statement on the MP’s situation.
Ghana’s consular policy
The update on Hon. Frimpong forms part of a broader briefing by the Foreign Affairs Minister on consular interventions being undertaken by the Ministry.
In recent months, the Ministry has coordinated evacuations from South Africa and Libya, repatriations from Cambodia, and rescue operations in West Africa linked to trafficking syndicates.
Government officials say the scale of these interventions has reinforced the need for a Consular Assistance Fund, a public-private financing mechanism the Ministry plans to launch soon to support Ghanaians facing emergencies abroad.
“Effective consular protection often requires immediate financial resources to provide emergency travel assistance, temporary accommodation, medical assistance, welfare support and, where necessary, repatriation or evacuation,” the Minister noted in the same briefing.
What happens next
Legal experts say that under Dutch law and the Netherlands-US extradition treaty, the detained person is entitled to legal representation, the right to contest the extradition, and regular consular access.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it will continue to update the public as the case progresses, while ensuring that the MP’s welfare and legal rights remain a priority.
“We remain committed to engaging our international partners in a spirit of mutual respect and cooperation while ensuring that the welfare of Ghanaian citizens remains central to our diplomatic efforts,” Ablakwa concluded.
