When Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa faced the vetting committee

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Minister-designate for Foreign Affairs, appeared before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Friday, January 31, 2025, to be vetted for his new role.
Accompanied by his spouse, traditional leaders, and elders from North Tongu in the Volta Region, Ablakwa answered questions on foreign diplomacy, Ghana’s passport system, and other key foreign affairs matters.
His vetting, however, was overshadowed by controversy as he strongly denied claims by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin that he had not been properly invited and had “smuggled” himself into the session.

Rejecting the accusation, Ablakwa stated: “I am not some hooligan who will be smuggled into the Appointments Committee’s meeting to be vetted.”
He further insisted that his chiefs and respected ambassadors were equally concerned about the claims, questioning whether his invitation had been properly communicated.

The nominee also demanded an apology from Afenyo-Markin, describing the allegations as baseless and misleading.
Despite the controversy, Ablakwa’s vetting proceeded, with the committee engaging him on Ghana’s diplomatic priorities and foreign policy direction.
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