The Minority in Parliament is demanding that Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, appear before the House to brief lawmakers on Ghana’s diplomatic engagement with South Africa following the fatal shooting of Ghanaian businessman Bashiru Isak in Cape Town.
According to the Minority, Parliament and the Ghanaian public deserve a clear update on the government’s response to the killing and the state of diplomatic relations between Ghana and South Africa, amid renewed concerns over the safety of Ghanaians and other foreign nationals living in the country.
The call was made by the Deputy Ranking Member of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee and Member of Parliament for Bosome Freho, Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh.
Addressing Parliament, Mr Ayeh said the minister should be scheduled to brief the House on the incident and Ghana’s diplomatic efforts.
“The young Ghanaian who was shot and killed in South Africa was brought to Ghana. This House has requested that the Minister for Foreign Affairs be programmed before this House to brief the House on issues relating to the diplomatic relationship between Ghana and South Africa,” he said.
He noted that widespread public discussion of the incident, particularly on social media, has heightened the need for an official government update.
“We have been hearing a lot of the issues on social media, and I believe and wish that the Majority Leader programmes him to appear to brief us about the relationship with South Africa,” he added.
Responding to the request, Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga said the Foreign Affairs Minister would be consulted before any decision is taken on whether he should address Parliament.
He explained that the nature of the issues involved and their diplomatic sensitivity would determine whether a public briefing is appropriate.
“Whether or not the minister comes to brief the House about bilateral relations depends on the minister’s assessment of the sensitivity of the issues and whether or not it should be discussed,” Ayariga said.
The killing of Bashiru Isak has reignited calls for stronger measures to protect Ghanaians living abroad and intensified demands for closer diplomatic engagement between Ghana and South Africa on the safety and security of foreign nationals.
