During his vetting for the position of Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, robustly defended his record of exposing alleged corruption and financial mismanagement. Ablakwa, who has been a vocal critic of various government dealings, emphasized that his actions have been in the interest of Ghana, not for personal or political gain.
“My exposés about wrongdoings have saved this country millions of dollars,” Ablakwa declared before the Parliamentary Appointments Committee. He argued that his vigilance has led to the prevention of dubious government contracts and unnecessary expenditures, thereby safeguarding Ghana’s public funds.
Ablakwa cited several instances where his interventions purportedly saved significant sums for the nation. One notable example he mentioned was the Oslo Chancery scandal, where he claimed his oversight efforts saved Ghana $38 million by preventing an overvalued purchase of a diplomatic property in Norway. His revelations, he insists, have been driven by patriotism and a commitment to transparency and accountability in governance.
“I do not engage in these exposés for personal gain or political advantage. My focus is on ensuring that the hard-earned resources of this country are used prudently and not squandered through shady deals,” Ablakwa remarked, underlining his motivation as being solely for the nation’s benefit.
The vetting session also saw Ablakwa addressing criticisms that his actions might be politically motivated. He dismissed such claims, asserting that his primary concern has always been the welfare of Ghanaians. “It’s simply love for country. As I always say: ‘For God and country.’ It’s a tough job. I understand that some may not like me for it, but someone has to step up and save the country money. That’s my only motivation,” he stated.
The discussion around Ablakwa’s exposés and his vetting for the Foreign Affairs Minister role continues to fuel debates on governance, accountability, and the role of opposition in Ghana’s political landscape. His assertion of saving millions for Ghana through his oversight activities has undoubtedly put a spotlight on the need for transparency in government operations.
