Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has said he owes no one an apology for leading parliamentary oversight on presidential travels, describing his actions as principled and in the national interest.
He emphasized that his campaign was guided by the objectives of protecting public funds and ensuring accountability in the use of state resources.
Ablakwa referenced former President Akufo-Addo’s parliamentary position on February 15, 2000, when he opposed the purchase of a new executive jet, highlighting the consistency of oversight on presidential travel across administrations.
He stated that he has no regrets for leading the campaign against the chartering of ultra-luxury jets at US$18,000 per hour, particularly when Ghana’s Presidential Jet, purchased in 2008, remained available and in good condition.
“I remain extremely proud of my parliamentary oversight as Ranking Member of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, particularly on my legislative scrutiny of presidential travels. My principled position has not changed and will not change. It has always been for God and Country.
“Let me emphasize for the avoidance of doubt, I have absolutely no regrets whatsoever for leading a long-drawn-out successful patriotic campaign against former President Akufo-Addo’s unjustified, wasteful and extremely reckless ostentatious charter of ultra-luxury jets for US$18,000 an hour” he said in a statement released on his Facebook wall.
Ablakwa noted that from the second half of 2023 until the end of former President Akufo-Addo’s tenure on January 6, 2025, the government relied exclusively on Ghana’s Presidential Jet, abandoning expensive chartered flights, a change he said vindicated his oversight.
He also pointed out that parliamentary questions filed in June 2021 confirmed the Presidential Jet was in excellent and airworthy condition, with former Ministers of Defence and National Security verifying its readiness for use.
“My oversight mandate was strictly inspired by the national interest and the patriotic objective of protecting the public purse — consistent with former President Akufo-Addo’s own eloquent pledge.
“I owe no one an apology for leading this consequential and noble oversight to protect taxpayers — I am confident the vast majority of Ghanaians are appreciative of my sacrifices — this is a legacy I will forever cherish.”
The minister emphasisied that “I did it in good conscience for my country and not for the praises of those who cannot look beyond their stomachs.”
According to Mr. Ablakwa, it deemed it very “comical” that the very people demanding his apology or resign are the same people trying so hard to emulate his actions and noted the overwhelming verdict by Ghanaians, however, is that, so far, the “wannabes” have been spectacularly disastrous.
“In all humility, I am now inundated with appeals from well-meaning Ghanaians asking that I urgently organize a workshop for the disgraced MPs,” he stated.
