The Minority Caucus in Parliament has called on President John Dramani Mahama to immediately remove Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa from his position as Minister for Foreign Affairs, accusing him of reckless diplomacy and failure to properly manage Ghana’s bilateral relations with the United States.
According to the Minority, Ghana’s inclusion on the list of 75 countries to be affected by a United States indefinite pause on processing immigrant visas starting January 21, is a result of what they described as poor diplomatic handling by the Foreign Affairs Ministry.
Addressing a press briefing on January 20, Deputy Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, made the demands of the Minority known.
The caucus demanded full disclosure from the Foreign Affairs Ministry on Ghana–United States engagements on migration matters, insisting that the public deserves clarity on how relations deteriorated to this point.
“Within seven weeks, the foreign ministry must hold a comprehensive press conference to address all publications between Ghana and the United States regarding migration cooperation, deportation issues and visa processing over the last 18 months,” they stated.
The Minority further demanded that the government explain why Ghana was included on a list of 75 countries affected by U.S. visa restrictions.
They said specific reasons should be given by Washington for including Ghana on the 75-country list and added that the ministry’s strategy to ensure Ghana’s removal from the list should also be made known.
The caucus also addressed Ghana’s deportation policy approach toward Israel, and called for an immediate shift in direction.
“Withdraw the public policy of tit-for-tat deportation with Israel and restore normal consular relations based on established international practice,” the statement said.
The Minority also called for the appointment of a presidential envoy to handle sensitive migration matters.
“Appoint a special envoy for diaspora and migration affairs, reporting directly to the president to manage these sensitive files with the seriousness it deserves,” Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh added.
Stressing on their loss of confidence in the Foreign Affairs Minister, the Minority made a direct appeal to the President.
“To your Excellency, President John Mahama, we say we cannot continue down this path. The Foreign Minister has outlived his usefulness. He has demonstrated beyond reasonable doubt that he lacks the temperament to manage complex bilateral relations,”
“The Minority therefore calls on you, Your Excellency, to remove Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa from the Foreign Ministers portfolio immediately, and appoint in place a competent diplomat.”
The caucus also called on civil society and the wider public to support the demand.
“We call on civil society organizations, professional associations, diaspora groups and all patriotic Ghanaians to add their voice to this demand. This is not a partisan matter, it is a matter of national survival.”
