Africa-Press – Ghana. Some traditional leaders and electorates within the Tongu Traditional Areas have strongly condemned the petition by the Minority in Parliament seeking the removal of Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
They described the move as “reckless, premature and not reflective of the national interest.”
Togbe Komla Sakpiti V, Chief of Bakpa Awadiwoekome, told the Ghana News Agency that the call for the Minister’s dismissal disregarded the complexities of foreign diplomacy and risked weakening Ghana’s international standing for partisan gain.
“The call for Mr Ablakwa’s removal is reckless and does not serve the national interest,” he said.
“Diplomacy demands unity and maturity. We cannot allow foreign affairs to become a playground for political experimentation.”
He noted that while Parliament has a legitimate oversight role, the Minority’s petition lacked evidence of misconduct or any substantive justification for the Minister’s removal.
According to Togbe Sakpiti, Mr Ablakwa has demonstrated an “active diplomatic posture” through his involvement in bilateral cooperation, regional security discussions, and global forums on trade and development.
“Instead of discrediting our Foreign Minister at such a sensitive time, we should rally behind him as he navigates complex international issues,” he added.
“We urge Parliament to prioritize national cohesion over partisan competition.”
The Chief warned that abrupt political attacks on key state institutions could send negative signals to Ghana’s international partners and undermine diplomatic credibility.
The stance of the traditional leaders has drawn strong support from electorates across North, Central, and South Tongu, many of whom described the petition as hasty and politically motivated.
“We fully support the chiefs. Ablakwa has been working tirelessly and represents the region well. This petition is unnecessary,” some community members said.
Others argued that undermining Ghana’s foreign policy leadership at this moment could create confusion for international partners and reduce Ghana’s leverage in diplomatic engagements.
Community members reaffirmed their confidence in Mr Ablakwa and urged political actors to pursue dialogue rather than confrontation on matters affecting the country’s external relations.
Meanwhile, the Minority Caucus has demanded the immediate removal of Mr Ablakwa, blaming him for diplomatic failures that have harmed Ghana’s international standing.
They cited Ghana being labeled a “migration risk” by the U.S. and setbacks with Israel and Europe.
The criticism coincides with the U.S. pausing immigrant visa processing for 75 countries, including Ghana, over concerns about applicants’ reliance on public benefits.
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