Minority threatens vote of censure on Ablakwa if fails to resign over South Africa evacuation brouhaha

The Minority in Parliament has asked 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 has also called for a comprehensive independent audit of the evacuation exercise and warned that it could initiate a vote of censure against the minister if he remains in office.

Samuel Abdulai Jinapor, Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, made the demands at a press conference in Parliament on Tuesday, October 27.

Mr Jinapor said the audit should be conducted 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 said the minister must accept responsibility in line with Section 2.1(j) of President John Dramani Mahama’s 2025 Code of Conduct and Ethics for Political Appointees.

According to Mr Jinapor, the provision requires resignation where a minister’s actions or leadership result in significant failure, corruption or a breach of public trust.

He further 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,” he added.

The Minority Caucus also said it would consider initiating parliamentary proceedings for a vote of censure against the minister under Article 82 of the Constitution and Order 138 of the Standing Orders of Parliament.

“Should the minister remain in office, the minority in Parliament will consider initiating the parliamentary process for a vote of censure under Article 82 of the Constitution and Order 138 of the Standing Orders of Parliament against the Minister,” it stated.

The demand follows reports that at least three people contacted from the evacuation list claimed they received GH¢2,000 instead of the GH¢5,500 package announced by the government.

Mr Ablakwa, however, has denied the allegations.

He has maintained that all Ghanaians on the evacuation list, including minors, received the full package comprising 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 said no concerns were raised at the airport over missing envelopes or payments below the announced amount.

The Minority’s proposed vote of censure would be pursued under Article 82 of the Constitution if the minister remains in office.

Under the provision, a motion of censure against a minister requires the support of at least two-thirds of all Members of Parliament to be passed.

If the motion succeeds, the president is required to revoke the minister’s appointment unless the minister resigns voluntarily.