The Majority Caucus in Parliament has rallied behind Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, dismissing calls for his removal by the Minority.
Addressing a press conference in Accra on Tuesday, January 23, 2026, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee and MP for Ablekuma South, Alfred Oko Vanderpuije said charges brought against Ablakwa by the Minority were frivolous.
“The Minister has achieved remarkable results in just one year,” he noted.
Vanderpuje questioned the basis for the Minority’s calls for Ablakwa’s removal, citing issues like US immigrant visa processing and GHS21bn expected from ORAL – areas he said were outside the Minister’s control.
“ORAL activities are with the Attorney General, and the US visa decision is not Ablakwa’s call,” he said.
He highlighted Ablakwa’s achievements, including visa waivers with neighboring countries, reduced passport fees, and efforts to attract foreign investment.
“This isn’t the time to call for his removal. The Minority’s call is misguided,” Vanderpuje stressed.
On Tuesday, January 20, 2026, the Minority Caucus called for the immediate dismissal of Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, citing diplomatic blunders that have allegedly dented Ghana’s international standing and put billions of dollars in diaspora remittances at risk. Addressing a press conference, Deputy Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee Nana Asafo-Adjei highlighted Ablakwa’s actions and inactions, particularly regarding the United States.
Asafo-Adjei noted that Ghana’s inclusion on the US list of 75 countries affected by immigrant visa processing restrictions was a result of Ablakwa’s approach. “When you freeze immigrant visa processing, you do not merely delay dreams; you choke an economic lifeline,” he warned, stressing potential declines in remittance inflows and increased hardship.
The Minority accused Ablakwa of diplomatic mismanagement, criticizing his “megaphone diplomacy” approach. To them, Ablakwa’s diplomatic blunders does not come as a surprise, noting that his “incompetence pattern began even before he assumed office.
“As an opposition MP, Ablakwa hiding behind the so-called “Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL)”, promoted false and harmful lie that over US$21 billion had been stolen or lost from the state. This reckless allegation damaged Ghana’s credit rating and eroded international investor confidence”, Asafo-Adjei noted.
Worried about Ghana’s reputation been allegedly dinted internationally, they demanded a comprehensive public briefing by the Foreign Ministry within seven days on Ghana-US communications on migration and visa issues; Reasons for Ghana’s inclusion on the US list; Strategy to secure removal; Assessment of potential economic impact; and Restoration of “professional diplomatic practice”
The Minority also called for recalling Ghana’s Ambassador to the US, Victor Emmanuel Smith, accusing him of failing to proactively engage US authorities on the visa issue.
The Vice Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee and MP for Jirapa, Cletus Seidu Dapilah, commenting on the issue noted that Ablakwa has demonstrated capacity and urged the Minority to focus on facts.
“Ablakwa should be praised, not crucified. He set up KPIs for Ghana’s Ambassadors and is promoting Ghana’s interests,” Seidu said.
