Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa is the North Tongu MP and Minister of Foreign Affairs
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has accused the Minority side of the Appointments Committee of deliberately targeting him over his oversight responsibilities and his role as the chairman of the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) initiative.
In an interview on TV3 on Saturday, February 8, 2025, Ablakwa expressed that the Minority side aimed to block his vetting and subsequent approval as a means of retaliating against him for his investigative work in uncovering state appointees’ ownership of state lands through ORAL.
He further revealed that his advocacy for the Public Assets Protection Bill, a private member’s bill aimed at prohibiting politically exposed individuals from acquiring state-owned properties, was also used by the Minority as a form of punishment, viewing it as his offense.
“My only crime is that President Mahama says I should chair ORAL because of the work I did in saving this country billions of cedis and dollars and protecting our state assets. That’s my crime so they made me a target and so, I should not go through vetting.
“With their micro minority numbers, they said they would stampede my vetting and punish me because I sought to fight corruption and protect state assets. I campaigned against state capture and sponsored a private members bill which is the Public Assets Protection Bill saying that politically exposed persons should be prohibited from purchasing state assets,” he expressed.
The North Tongu lawmaker expressed his surprise at how his fight against corruption, in the country’s interest, has instead led to the creation of enemies.
He pointed out that in other countries, individuals who lead campaigns against corruption would typically receive widespread support.
He further accused the Minority of launching baseless attacks on his character with the intent to defame him.
“These are my crimes. Elsewhere, decent-minded politicians will rally behind an MP like this and support him. They will not vilify, hound him, and seek to just denigrate and subject him to all of these cruel, baseless attacks,” he added.
Meanwhile, Ablakwa has vehemently denied accusations that he owns a residence at Airport Hills, which he allegedly registered under his sister’s name.
He provided proof that the property in question is owned by a Jordanian named Husni Altheebeh.
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