Majority accuses Asafo-Adjaye of targeting Ablakwa over service passport request

The majority faction of Ghana’s Parliament’s Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Committee has criticized Deputy Ranking Member Nana Asafo-Adjaye for allegedly launching a smear campaign against Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa. The majority alleges that the attacks stem from the minister's refusal to issue a service passport to Nana Boakye, the National Second Vice Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

On Tuesday, October 13, the majority stated that Boakye, commonly known as Nana B, did not meet the criteria for a service passport at the time of his application. Zuwera Ibrahimah Mohammed, an MP from Salaga South, attributed the minister's decision to align with presidential directives to the ongoing tension with Asafo-Adjaye.

She stated that the minister's unwavering adherence to the directive, which mandated the return of diplomatic and service passports, served as the basis for baseless and unwarranted personal attacks against Asafo-Adjaye. The majority acknowledged the Foreign Affairs Committee's constitutional duty to scrutinize the Ministry's performance but cautioned against using parliamentary oversight for personal vendettas.

They emphasized that requests for favors from public officials must adhere to the law, asserting that the minister should not issue exceptions to the presidential directive. The caucus also invoked the legal principle that individuals seeking equity must present themselves with clean records, arguing that Asafo-Adjaye should refrain from criticizing the minister over a decision deemed lawful.