Minister-designate for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has expressed his readiness to face Parliament’s Appointments Committee again if required, amid what he described as “desperate smear press conferences and fabrications” by critics.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Mr. Ablakwa stated that his detractors had every opportunity to scrutinise him during his initial vetting and during their tenure in power but failed to act.
“They had every opportunity when I appeared before them for vetting, but they chose to run away. They had every opportunity when they were in power for eight years to have me prosecuted, but they failed because there was nothing they could find,” he wrote.
Mr. Ablakwa’s remarks come as tensions rise in the vetting process, with accusations and counter-accusations dominating public discourse.
But the North Tongu MP, who has already been vetted, has reiterated his willingness to face a second vetting process if necessary, stressing that his actions as a Member of Parliament were in line with his constitutional mandate to protect public resources and state assets.
“If they want a second round of vetting, I am ready for them. It is not a crime for a Member of Parliament to patriotically and diligently seek the protection of public resources and state assets pursuant to our constitutional mandate of oversight,” he said.
Mr. Ablakwa further criticised his opponents for resorting to what he termed “infantile fabrications” and maintained that those fighting for truth and justice could not be intimidated.
He also reaffirmed his commitment to President John Mahama’s policy initiatives and the work of the Foreign Ministry.
“I shall remain focused on President Mahama’s exciting reset innovations, which we are on the verge of implementing at the Foreign Ministry. For God and Country. Ghana First,” he concluded.
Read Also >>>>> I am not an NDC member – Barker-Vormawor clarifies his political affiliation
Meanwhile, The Speaker of Parliament, Mr. Alban Bagbin, has suspended four Members of Parliament (MPs) for two weeks following a chaotic altercation during Thursday’s (January 30, 2025) sitting of the Appointments Committee.
The suspended MPs include the Majority Chief Whip, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, MP for Gushegu, Alhassan Sulemana Tampuli and 2nd Deputy Minority Whip, Jerry Ahmed Shaib.
In addition to the suspensions, Speaker Bagbin has established a special committee to investigate the incident, which he described as an embarrassment to Parliament. He has also directed the Parliamentary Marshal to enforce the suspension, barring the affected MPs from entering the chamber during the two-week period.
The decision follows disruptions during the vetting of ministerial nominees, which stalled proceedings and led to heated exchanges among committee members.
Expressing disappointment over the conduct of the suspended MPs, Speaker Bagbin emphasised that such behaviour was unbecoming of lawmakers and had brought Parliament into disrepute.
“This institution must uphold order and discipline. The actions of these MPs have undermined the dignity of Parliament, and such behaviour will not be tolerated,” he warned.
He further indicated that should similar incidents occur in the future, more severe disciplinary measures could be imposed.
The committee investigating the chaos during the vetting of ministerial nominees has also scheduled Wednesday, February 5, to begin public hearings.
The committee aims to examine the events surrounding the disruption on January 30, which resulted in a clash between the Minority and Majority over the vetting timing and the destruction of equipment.
Don’t Miss >>>> Court issues bench warrant for former NPP parliamentary aspirant in tax fraud case
