The Minority in Parliament has demanded the resignation of Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa following allegations that some Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa received GH¢2,000 instead of the GH¢5,500 support package announced by the government.
The Minority says President John Dramani Mahama must dismiss the Minister if he fails to resign, insisting that the allegations require accountability and an independent investigation.
The Ranking Member of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel Abdulai Jinapor, made the demand at a press conference in Parliament on Tuesday, October 27. He also called for an independent audit of the evacuation exercise by an internationally reputable accounting firm to determine whether all beneficiaries received the full amount.
Mr Jinapor argued that the allegations had raised serious questions about the Minister’s handling of the exercise and called on him to step aside to allow an impartial investigation.
He cited Section 2.1(j) of President Mahama’s 2025 Code of Conduct and Ethics for Political Appointees, which he said requires a Minister to resign when their actions or leadership result in significant failure, corruption or a breach of public trust.
He further invoked Article 81(a) of the 1992 Constitution, urging President Mahama to terminate Mr Ablakwa’s appointment if he refuses to resign.
“The President must demonstrate that the standards he has set for his appointees have consequences when public confidence in their stewardship has been seriously undermined,” Mr Jinapor said.
The controversy follows reports that at least three people contacted from the evacuation list claimed they received GH¢2,000 rather than the GH¢5,500 announced by the government.
Mr Ablakwa, however, has rejected the allegations, maintaining that all Ghanaians on the evacuation list, including minors, received the full package of GH¢5,000 in reintegration support and GH¢500 for transportation.
Addressing the Ghanaian community in Ottawa, Canada, during an official working visit, the Minister said his ministry had not received any complaints about payment shortfalls since the evacuation exercise began more than four months ago.
He also insisted that no concerns were raised at the airport over missing envelopes or payments below the announced amount.
The Minority is pushing for an independent audit to establish the facts, while Mr Ablakwa maintains that all intended beneficiaries received the full support package.
