The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has strongly refuted allegations that he awarded a US$5.2 million contract for the renovation of Ghana’s embassy in Benin.
In a statement posted on his official Facebook page, Mr. Ablakwa described the claims as “false” and urged the public to “treat them with utter contempt.”
“For the record, I have not awarded any embassy renovation contract anywhere in the world,” he clarified. “Let me be clear — not a single embassy renovation or construction contract has been awarded by me since I became Foreign Minister.”
Rather than approving such deals, Mr. Ablakwa said he has been committed to protecting public funds. He cited his decision to cancel what he described as a “US$3.5 million single-source midnight contract” for the renovation of Ghana’s embassy in Abidjan, which had been awarded on November 7, 2024.
The Minister emphasized his dedication to transparency and accountability in office, assuring Ghanaians that he would never betray their trust.
“I shall never betray the trust of the Ghanaian people as we work tirelessly, and with integrity, to achieve President Mahama’s Reset Agenda,” he stated.
The Foreign Affairs Minister’s response comes amid public debate over government expenditure on diplomatic missions, with calls for stricter oversight of such contracts.
