Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, is under fire from the Minority Caucus on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee for what they describe as a lack of tact and consultation in handling sensitive diplomatic matters.
The criticism comes after Ablakwa announced the closure of Ghana’s Embassy in Washington, D.C. via social media platforms Facebook and X (formerly Twitter). The move, aimed at addressing alleged corruption and abuse of office at the mission, surprised many within Parliament, including some Majority MPs, according to the opposition.
At a press briefing on Tuesday, 27 May, Ranking Member Samuel A. Jinapor expressed disappointment over the lack of prior engagement with the committee, calling it a “sharp departure” from Ghana’s longstanding tradition of quiet diplomacy.
“We were utterly shocked and surprised to learn of the decision through public announcements, rather than through prior engagement with the Foreign Affairs Committee,” Jinapor said. “Such a significant action should have been preceded by a briefing to the committee and addressed through tactful diplomatic channels.”
While the Minority welcomed efforts to uphold accountability and transparency, they warned that diplomacy must not be reduced to “public spectacle or political posturing.”
“This approach has far-reaching repercussions on the morale of our foreign service officers, on the reputation of our country, and on the welfare of Ghanaian citizens abroad,” Jinapor noted.
The caucus also raised broader concerns about the rollout of chip-embedded passports and what they called “inconsistent processing timelines,” citing poor communication and limited consultation with stakeholders.
“International relations require tact, quiet negotiation, and consistency,” Jinapor added. “Diplomacy is not an arena for political point-scoring or hasty announcements. It is a space for calm, careful maneuvering that protects the nation’s long-term interests.”
In a final appeal, the Minority urged the Minister to strengthen collaboration with Parliament and uphold Ghana’s diplomatic standards.
“We believe that with greater engagement, more diplomacy, and less populism, Ghana’s image will be preserved and enhanced. We trust the Minister will take these concerns into account moving forward.”Jinapor concluded.
