South Africa evacuation: Minority demands Ablakwa’s resignation, warns of censure motion
State Capture is Dead – Okudzeto Ablakwa reacts to Code of Conduct launch
The Minority in Parliament has called on Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa to resign over allegations that some Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa received less than the GH¢5,500 support package announced by the government.
The Minority says President John Dramani Mahama should dismiss Mr Ablakwa if he refuses to resign. It has also threatened to initiate a vote of censure against him if he neither resigns nor is dismissed.
The demands were made by the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel Abdulai Jinapor, at a press conference in Parliament on Tuesday, October 27.
Mr Jinapor also called for an independent audit of the evacuation exercise by an internationally reputable accounting firm to establish the facts surrounding the alleged payment shortfalls.
“Given the gravity of these revelations and in order to ensure an impartial investigation into the matter, we call on the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Honourable Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, to resign immediately. His handling of this exercise has brought his high office into disrepute,” he said.
He argued that Mr Ablakwa should accept responsibility in line with Section 2.1(j) of President Mahama’s 2025 Code of Conduct and Ethics for Political Appointees. Mr Jinapor said the provision requires a minister to resign when their actions or leadership result in significant failure, corruption or a breach of public trust.
He also called on President Mahama to terminate Mr Ablakwa’s appointment if he refuses to resign, citing Article 81(a) of the 1992 Constitution.
“The President must demonstrate that the standards he has set for his appointees have consequences when public confidence in their stewardship has been seriously undermined,” Mr Jinapor added.
The Minority’s demands follow reports that at least three people contacted from the evacuation list claimed they received GH¢2,000 instead of the announced GH¢5,500.
Mr Ablakwa has denied the allegations, insisting that all Ghanaians on the evacuation list, including minors, received the full package: GH¢5,000 in reintegration support and GH¢500 for transportation.
Speaking to the Ghanaian community in Ottawa, Canada, during an official working visit, the Minister said his ministry had received no complaints about payment shortfalls since the evacuation exercise began more than four months ago.
He also maintained that no concerns had been raised at the airport about missing envelopes or payments below the announced amount.
