Majority Rejects Minority Call for Ablakwa’s Removal

The Chairman of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Dr. Alfred Oko Vanderpuije, has rejected calls by the Minority Caucus for the dismissal of Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, Victor Smith, describing the demand as unfounded and politically motivated.

Addressing the media, Dr. Oko Vanderpuije said claims that Ghana’s recent inclusion among countries affected by a pause in U.S. Immigrant Visa processing was caused by Mr. Ablakwa’s diplomacy were misleading.

“The directive from Washington affected about 75 countries. This is a decision taken by the United States government, not a consequence of the Foreign Affairs Minister’s actions,” he stated.

The Ablekuma South MP questioned how a sovereign U.S. policy decision could be attributed to Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Ministry, insisting that Mr. Ablakwa has been active on the international front, particularly in engaging partners on investment attraction and job creation.

Minority Allegations

On January 20, 2026, the Minority Caucus accused Mr. Ablakwa of reckless diplomacy, arguing that his conduct had pushed Ghana onto a U.S. list facing an indefinite pause in immigrant visa processing.

The Minority warned of possible economic consequences, including threats to diaspora remittances estimated between $3.7 billion and $6.6 billion annually, largely from the United States.

They also criticised the minister’s handling of a December 2025 Israel deportation incident, accusing him of favouring public confrontation over quiet diplomacy.

Majority Pushback

But Dr. Oko Vanderpuije dismissed attempts to link the visa issue to other matters, including Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL), stressing that such issues fall under the jurisdiction of the Attorney-General.

He praised reforms at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, citing improvements in passport processing speed and cost reductions, which he said have benefited Ghanaians.

The Committee Chair said the Majority would not support calls for the removal of either Mr. Ablakwa or Ambassador Victor Smith and urged President John Dramani Mahama to disregard the Minority’s demand.

 

 

 

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