"I was not smuggled in" – Okudzeto Ablakwa responds to Afenyo-Markin

The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has vehemently denied allegations made by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin claiming he was "smuggled in" to be vetted.

In a strongly worded response, he clarified that there was no attempt to bypass official procedures or engage in any underhanded tactics.

He was speaking during his vetting for the Minister of Foreign Affairs role on Friday, January 31, 2025, in response to Afenyo-Markin’s earlier remarks.

Mr Ablakwa stressed that contrary to claims of being "smuggled" into the vetting, he had followed all official channels and was duly invited to attend the meeting by the Appointments Committee.

“I was not smuggled in,” he said, holding up an official invitation letter signed by the Appointments Committee.

“I have a formal invitation letter from the committee, signed by the clerks and the committee’s chairman. It’s all documented. There was no conspiracy, no backdoor dealing,” he asserted.

The MP emphasised that the invitation he received clearly outlined the details of the meeting, including the date, time, and the required documentation to be submitted.

He pointed out that the invitation also provided clear instructions for him and his team, further validating his legitimate participation in the vetting process.

Mr Ablakwa also addressed accusations made by some of his colleagues on the Minority side, who questioned his vetting process on social media.

The foreign minister designate refuted these claims, dismissing them as politically motivated distractions designed to tarnish his reputation and undermine the process.

“This is a serious matter, and it’s beginning to affect my reputation,” he stated. “I have received numerous calls from respected individuals, including chiefs and colleagues, asking if I misled them or if there was something improper about the process. I want to make it clear that I followed all procedures, and I am here today to ensure that my name and integrity are upheld.”

He called for an official apology from the Minority Leader, Afenyo-Markin, for his claims.

He described such accusations as unfounded and unacceptable, urging that clarity be provided to dispel any doubts among his supporters and colleagues.

“I demand an unqualified apology from the Minority Leader,” he stated, adding that his chiefs and the guests he had invited would not tolerate any further insinuations of misconduct.

He also called for transparency in the vetting process to prevent similar issues in the future.

He reiterated his commitment to the vetting process and to the nation, stressing that the focus should remain on advancing the country’s interests rather than on distractions or unfounded claims.

Reacting to this, the chairman of the appointments committee, Bernard Ahiafor, apologised to Okudzeto Ablakwa following the controversy over his vetting process.

The apology comes after Ablakwa was accused of attempting to circumvent the proper procedures during his vetting session earlier this week.

He admitted that there had been a miscommunication that led to the confusion surrounding Mr Ablakwa's attendance at the vetting session.

"I agree with the concerns raised, and I acknowledge that there was a shortfall in the communication regarding your vetting schedule," the Chairman stated. "We failed to finalise the scheduling process properly, which led to the misunderstanding. On behalf of the committee, I offer my sincere apologies to you, Mr Ablakwa."