NPP Second Vice Chairman Questions Why Ablakwa Remains in Office Over Evacuation Discrepancies
The New Patriotic Party’s Second Vice Chairman, Henry Nana Boakye, popularly known as Nana B, has questioned why Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa remains in office despite allegations of financial discrepancies in documents relating to the evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa.
He argued that President John Dramani Mahama should have dismissed the minister or asked him to resign if he were committed to upholding high standards of accountability.
Speaking in an interview on Adom TV’s Badwam, Nana B alleged that documents obtained by the Minority through a Right to Information request contained discrepancies involving GH¢16.4 million, which he claimed had not been accounted for.
“The Minority made an RTI request, and the same documents given to them by the Foreign Affairs Ministry showed discrepancies involving GH¢16.4 million, which they couldn’t account for,” he said.
He further cited a JoyNews investigation, which he said had corroborated concerns raised by the Minority and uncovered additional issues, including repeated names and signatures in the documents.
According to Nana B, the allegations raise serious questions about the minister’s continued supervision of the ministry.
“The minister is superintending over criminality. The man himself is a potential criminal. Why is he still at post?” he asked.
Nana B also criticised a press conference held on Monday, 26 October by the evacuees from South Africa, describing it as an attempt to address the concerns surrounding the evacuation exercise.
“The press conference that happened yesterday was an eyesore. How can someone who came to Ghana and lacks the financial muscle have the money to organise a press conference? It was sponsored by the Foreign Affairs Ministry,” he alleged.
He maintained that the minister should step aside to allow the issues to be addressed.
