Volta NDC urges Minority to stop attempts to smear Ablakwa with scandals

The Volta Regional branch of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has urged the Minority in Parliament and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to stop what it describes as attempts to smear Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa with scandals.

Volta Regional NDC Chairman, Mawutor Agbavitor, accused the Minority of pursuing an agenda to discredit and intimidate Mr Ablakwa and undermine his ability to perform his duties.

Addressing a press conference in Ho, Mr Agbavitor said he found it disturbing that the Minister was being subjected to what he described as a politically orchestrated campaign of discreditation.

“We find it deeply disturbing that Hon. Okudzeto Ablakwa, a minister whose diplomatic engagements have brought significant international attention to Ghana, is being subjected to what appears to be a politically orchestrated campaign of discreditation,” he said.

He praised Mr Ablakwa's role in advancing Ghana's reparatory justice agenda at the United Nations, saying his leadership had raised the country's profile in the international campaign for historical justice and reparations for the injustices suffered by Africans.

He challenged the Minority to back its allegations with evidence and submit them to the appropriate institutions for investigation and action.

“To the NPP, we say: if you have evidence, present it. If you have concerns, submit them to the appropriate institutions. But do not try to turn political pressure into a judicial verdict,” he said.

South Africa evacuation: Volta NDC asks Minority to await investigation

On allegations surrounding the evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa and calls for the Minister's resignation, Mr Agbavitor said Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee had received an accountability report from the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

He said the Committee was expected to establish the facts after completing its investigations.

He, therefore, urged the Minority to await the outcome of the investigations into the payment of allowances and alleged clerical discrepancies rather than rush to demand Mr Ablakwa's resignation.

“Why are you in such a hurry to secure a resignation when the oversight institutions have yet to complete their work? Why have you chosen political agitation over the patient examination of the available evidence?” he questioned.

Volta NDC calls for comprehensive probe into alleged passport irregularities

Addressing allegations surrounding the sale of diplomatic passports, Mr Agbavitor said the Foreign Affairs Ministry had clarified that the issue involved service passports rather than diplomatic passports.

He also noted that the alleged operations dated back to 2023, before some of the officials currently under investigation joined the Foreign Service.

“According to the Ministry, the alleged operation had been ongoing since 2023. The statement identifies a junior Foreign Service Officer, Mr Alhassan Sumani, who was reportedly operating as a middleman, commonly called a ‘goro boy’, in 2023, before his recruitment into the Foreign Service on 29 November 2024,” he said.

He called for the investigation to cover the period from 2023 to date to ensure that any officials who may have been involved in the alleged activities under both the previous and current administrations are identified.

“The investigation must cover the entire period, under both the previous and the current administrations. Nobody should be shielded, and nobody should be condemned without evidence,” he said.

Mr Agbavitor said the Ministry had taken administrative steps following the receipt of the report, including commissioning an investigation, interdicting the Acting Director of Passports, Mr Mahama Yahaya Amantana, and Junior Foreign Service Officer Alhassan Sumani, and referring the matter to the police for investigation and possible prosecution.

“These developments show that the allegations triggered institutional action. The investigative process must be allowed to proceed without political interference. The Minority is entitled to ask questions, but it must also acknowledge the steps the Ministry has announced,” he said.

He further argued that the Minister's administrative responsibility should be distinguished from personal criminal culpability, which must be established through evidence and due process.

Volta NDC challenges Minority to provide evidence

Mr Agbavitor urged the Minority to be clear and factual in its demands for accountability, arguing that its constitutional oversight responsibilities should be exercised through evidence-based scrutiny.

He also challenged the NPP to learn from Mr Ablakwa's record of exposing alleged wrongdoing between 2016 and 2024.

“Indeed, the NPP should take time to learn from Hon. Okudzeto Ablakwa how to conduct a credible exposé. A credible exposé is not about sensational headlines, political insinuations or the mere presentation of documents before cameras. It demands thorough investigation, verifiable evidence, proper documentation, factual accuracy, and the courage to let one's claims be independently scrutinised,” Mr Agbavitor said.