Member of Parliament (MP) for Bosome-Freho, Nana Kwame Asafo-Adjei, has alleged that he was abruptly dropped from Ghana’s delegation to the ongoing United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York by the the Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
According to the MP, Mr. Ablakwa is not comfortable with him.
Recounting the incident on September 25, Hon. Asafo-Adjei said he had received confirmation of his travel and allowances on September 18.
“On the 18th my ticket was sent to me and I was called that my per diem is also ready so I should pick it,” he said, adding that he then informed the clerk he would collect it at the airport.
According to him, he dressed, packed his belongings, and proceeded to the airport with the Clerk and MP for Ablekuma South, Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije.
However, upon reaching the check-in counter, he discovered his ticket had been withdrawn as it was not processing after several attempts and trying both his passports.
He said he was then informed that his ticket had been withdrawn.
After several unsuccessful calls to resolve the issue, the Clerk eventually showed him a message sent from the personal assistant of the Foreign Affairs Minister directing that “only the Clerk and Okoe Vanderpuije be taken care of.”
“At the counter. With my bags. And my driver had already gone. So I just returned the per diem, thanked them, and went back home,” he stated.
The MP explained that he had just returned from Cote d’Ivoire at the time, where he had been following up on the Gbinyiri crisis that forced some Ghanaians to seek refuge in neighboring countries.
“I don’t know whether it has something to do with the Gbinyiri issue. But if you ask me, this is what transpired,” he said.
Hon. Asafo-Adjei added that he has no problem with not being given the chance to go as it is not obligatory for the Foreign Affairs ministry to fund this trip.
He however felt it could have been handled differently.
“I’m not asking for privileges. I am not asking for special treatment. My point is that if you won’t travel with me, let me sit in my village,” he stated.
“We were three. The same courtesy was accorded to the chairman and the clerk. So if you don’t want me to go, let me not come to the airport because I’m not begging to travel,” he stressed.
He further suggested that his strained relationship with the Foreign Affairs Minister might have influenced the decision, recounting a previous encounter.
“I know strongly that many a times the minister is not comfortable with me. I know.”
He said is difficult to tell why, but cited another instance where he tried to greet the minister at a conference and was. rejected.
According to Mr. Asafo-Adjei, Samuel Ablakwa had said to him, ‘you’re not my friend’.
