Accra, 28 May 2025 – A deep divide has emerged within Ghana’s Parliament over the recent decision by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, to temporarily shut down the Ghana Embassy in Washington, D.C. following allegations of fraud.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Hon. Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije, commended the Minister’s bold action, describing it as necessary to safeguard the image and integrity of the mission. He affirmed that the Embassy was expected to resume operations on Thursday, 29 May 2025, with a new team of staff, free of corruption.
“We support the Minister for all the actions that he has taken… The Embassy would be served without an iota of corruption,” said Hon. Vanderpuije.
He also encouraged the Minister to extend similar anti-corruption measures to other Ghanaian embassies worldwide.
However, Member of Parliament for Bosome Freho, Hon. Nana Asafo-Agyei, who also sits on the Foreign Affairs Committee, offered a strong rebuttal to the Chairman’s support, describing the move as a knee-jerk reaction that resulted in financial loss to the state.
“No diplomat will do what happened… Even the decision to recall or to reopen confirms the fact that the Minister, who has the backing of the President, did not think through the decision,” Hon. Asafo-Agyei asserted.
He questioned the rationale behind replacing the entire staff of the mission due to issues allegedly stemming from just the consular (IT) section, and emphasized that other departments such as trade, culture, or scholarships were not implicated.
“Rather, they are causing some financial loss to the state… when you’re bringing these diplomats back to the country, you will spend so much.”
The MP concluded by calling for accountability over the cost implications of the abrupt decision.
Source: Clement Akoloh||parliamentnews360.com
