Ablakwa defends oversight on presidential travels, rejects calls for apology

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has justified his long-standing scrutiny of presidential travel, describing it as a patriotic duty to safeguard the public purse and ensure accountability.

His defence comes after the Ranking Member on the Defence and Interior Committee of Parliament, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, urged him to resign, apologise to former President Nana Akufo-Addo, and support the acquisition of a new presidential jet.

Rev. Fordjour, in a social media post on August 18, criticised Ablakwa and the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) for engaging in what he termed “petty politics” over the issue.

Responding on Facebook, Mr. Ablakwa insisted that his actions as a legislator were consistent with the principles of transparency and fiscal prudence.

“I remain extremely proud of my parliamentary oversight. My principled position has not changed and will not change. It has always been for God and Country,” he stated.

He recalled that in 2000, then-MP Nana Akufo-Addo strongly opposed plans by President Jerry John Rawlings to acquire a new executive jet, as captured in the Parliamentary Hansard of February 15, 2000.

Ablakwa questioned why such scrutiny was considered legitimate then but deemed unacceptable when directed at Akufo-Addo as President.

The Foreign Affairs Minister reiterated that his objection to the US$18,000-per-hour chartering of luxury private jets under the former President was grounded in national interest, especially when Ghana’s official presidential jet, acquired in 2008, remained in good condition.

He dismissed calls for an apology, stressing that his campaign had been supported by many Ghanaians and ultimately contributed to the discontinuation of chartered flights by President Akufo-Addo from mid-2023 until he left office in January 2025.

“I owe no one an apology for leading this consequential and noble oversight to protect taxpayers. This is a legacy I will forever cherish,” Ablakwa said.

The Minister further linked Akufo-Addo’s decision to abandon luxury charters to both sustained public pressure and the severe economic challenges that forced Ghana to seek a $3 billion IMF bailout. He noted that in 2021, the Ministers of Defence and National Security confirmed in Parliament that the presidential jet was airworthy, with the only criticism being its lack of a shower facility.

Ablakwa also criticised what he called attempts to distort the narrative of his oversight work, accusing detractors of trying to “whitewash” Akufo-Addo’s record.

“The intelligence of Ghanaians should not be underestimated. Attempts to equalise with unscrupulous falsehoods have already failed,” he warned.

He linked his oversight to broader concerns over fiscal mismanagement under the Akufo-Addo administration, citing the $97 million spent on the stalled National Cathedral project, sole-sourced contracts, and alleged corruption scandals that contributed to the country’s debt crisis.

Concluding his statement, Ablakwa pledged that the new Mahama administration would prioritise modest governance, accountability, and respect for public funds.

“President Mahama’s government will continue to reset Ghana with truth, modesty, frugality, and deep respect for the Ghanaian people. For God and Country.”

Source: Adomonline

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