Okudzeto Ablakwa pledges tough stance on discrimination against Ghanaians abroad
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Ghana's nominee for Foreign Minister, has vowed to take decisive action to improve the treatment of Ghanaians abroad, focusing on issues such as discrimination in foreign visa applications and subpar services provided by international airlines.
Speaking before the Appointments Committee of Parliament on Friday, January 31, he stressed the need for Ghana to assert its rights on the global stage and protect its citizens, both at home and abroad.
In response to a question about the treatment of Ghanaian citizens by foreign airlines, Mr Ablakwa expressed concern over poor service standards, particularly noting that some airlines were operating unsafe aircraft, posing security risks to passengers.
He criticised the airlines for prioritising profits over passenger safety, stating that Ghana would no longer accept such discriminatory practices. "We will not accept this discrimination," he said. He promised to work closely with other ministries, including the Transport and Finance Ministries, to negotiate better terms for Ghanaian airlines and ensure that the country’s interests are safeguarded in international agreements.
The Minister-designate also addressed the treatment of Ghanaian citizens applying for visas to foreign countries, citing instances where Ghanaians were subjected to degrading conditions at embassies.
"You apply for a visa and you are treated as though you are a slave," he said, referring to the lack of respect and proper facilities for visa applicants.
He condemned the practice of leaving senior citizens and other dignitaries to endure harsh weather conditions at embassies, stressing that Ghana would no longer tolerate such mistreatment.
As part of his vision for the Foreign Ministry, Mr Ablakwa committed to engaging with ambassadors and foreign officials to ensure that Ghanaian citizens are treated with dignity and respect during the visa application process.
In addition to addressing these pressing concerns, he highlighted the importance of expanding Ghana's diplomatic relations, particularly through visa waiver agreements.
He expressed strong support for extending the list of countries with which Ghana has visa-free access, citing the example of South Africa and Colombia, with whom Ghana has recently approved visa-waiver agreements.
He also emphasised his belief in the Pan-African vision of free movement within the continent, noting that President Akufo-Addo’s administration had already initiated measures to allow more African nationals to travel to Ghana without visas.
However, he cautioned that any expansion of visa-free access would need to be carefully managed to ensure national security. "We will just have to make sure that we look at all the security aspects so that it doesn't become a medium for unwanted elements to undermine the peace and stability we enjoy," he said.
He further reiterated his commitment to working on more visa waiver agreements and ensuring that Ghana's foreign policy is aligned with the interests of its citizens, securing their rights and facilitating their interactions with the global community, while ensuring that the country is represented and respected in all international forums.