ACCRA — The Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Hon. Cletus Seidu Dapilah, has stated that the detailed explanations provided by the Majority caucus regarding the evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa should bring finality to the controversy surrounding the operation.
Speaking at a press conference in Accra on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, Hon. Dapilah asserted that the evidence presented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration absolves the Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, of any wrongdoing.
The press conference was held by the Majority members of the Committee to address allegations raised by the Minority regarding the expenditure and handling of the evacuation exercise.
A Call for Accountability
Hon. Dapilah reminded journalists that the Minister was a vocal advocate for accountability while in opposition, suggesting that he would not engage in acts contrary to his previous stance. He challenged the Minority to provide records of their own evacuation efforts in 2023, stating, “If under their watch during the 2023 evacuation they were able to give an account, they should stop the propaganda.”
He further cautioned the Minority against vilifying the Minister, describing Mr. Ablakwa as someone who respects public funds. “This is a Minister who will not tamper with the Ghanaian cedi,” Hon. Dapilah said. “When in opposition, he made Ministers account, and he knows there will be a day of accountability. This is why the receipts accounting was done, and this should bring finality to the matter.”
Minority Accused of Bad Faith
Also addressing the press, Hon. Zuwera Mohammed Ibrahimah, a member of the Committee, provided context on the sequence of events leading to the Majority’s briefing. She noted that the Minority had requested information on the evacuation through the Right to Information (RTI) Act. However, when the Minister was scheduled to brief the Committee, she claimed the Minority declined to participate.
According to Hon. Ibrahimah, the Committee Chairman suggested waiting for the official report, but the Minority proceeded to hold their own press conference on Sunday.
“They did not have good intentions. They did not want the Minister to be on record as the first to come to Parliament to brief us; they wanted to take that away from him,” she said. “When integrity leads the work you do, you have nothing to fear, so the Minister has nothing to worry about.”
“The Data is Available”
Hon. Dapilah concluded by inviting the media to independently verify the Ministry’s records. He emphasized that the Majority’s defense of the Minister is based on facts rather than mere praise.
“We know the Foreign Affairs Minister well. You in the media can do your search to find out if he did something wrong,” he stated. “We are not here praising him; there is data, and we have presented it. Look at it and decide if we deserve praise or not.”
Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/EcowasNewsOnline.com
