Minority demands Ablakwa’s resignation over alleged GH¢49.7m evacuation irregularities
The Minority in Parliament has called for the immediate resignation of Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa over alleged financial irregularities surrounding the evacuation of 1,964 Ghanaians from South Africa at a reported cost of GH¢49.72 million.
The Minority Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel Abdulai Jinapor, made the demand during a press conference at Parliament House, where he also called for an independent audit of the exercise.
Mr Jinapor said documents obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through a request under the Right to Information Act had revealed discrepancies in payment records, duplicate entries and gaps in supporting documentation.
He said the concerns, alongside media reports of some evacuees allegedly not receiving their full allowances, raised questions about the accountability and management of public funds.
The Damongo MP stressed that the Minority had supported the evacuation exercise to protect Ghanaians facing threats to their safety in South Africa. However, he maintained that the expenditure must be properly accounted for.
Mr Jinapor also denied allegations that the Minority had paid some evacuees to criticise the government, insisting that those who spoke to the media did so voluntarily.
The Minority is demanding a comprehensive audit by an internationally reputable accounting firm and has threatened to initiate parliamentary proceedings for a vote of censure if Mr Ablakwa fails to resign.
It has further urged President John Dramani Mahama to terminate the minister’s appointment if he refuses to step down.
The allegations have not been independently established. The proposed audit is expected to help clarify the disputed expenditure and determine whether any financial irregularities occurred.
