ACCRA — Lawyer Kwesi Botchway Jnr, National Deputy Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has said Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa may find it difficult to escape criminal prosecution under a future NPP administration.
He made the statement in reaction to ongoing controversies surrounding the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including the passport syndicate and the South Africa evacuation exercise.
WHAT BOTCHWAY JNR SAID
“Okudzeto Ablakwa may find it difficult to escape criminal prosecution under a future NPP administration,” Lawyer Kwesi Botchway Jnr said.
According to him, a minister must accept responsibility for what happens under his authority — including decisions taken and actions carried out by officials who report to him.
He argued that accountability does not disappear because public attention moves on, and that alleged wrongdoing connected to a ministry can be revisited in future.
CONTEXT: WHY THIS IS BEING SAID NOW
The comment comes at a time when the Foreign Affairs Ministry is under scrutiny over two separate matters:
1. The passport syndicate, which the Ministry says has operated since 2023, leading to the interdiction of two officials, the revocation of 10 Service Passports, and referral of suspects to Police.
2. The evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa, over which the Minority has questioned the cost and accountability.
The Ministry has said the passport matters under investigation concern Service Passports, not Diplomatic Passports, and that no evidence has yet emerged that Diplomatic Passports were sold.
WHAT THIS DOES — AND DOES NOT — MEAN
Howedey.com states clearly for readers:
• This is a political prediction / opinion by an NPP communicator, not a charge, not a court finding, and not a conviction.
• As at publication, Mr Ablakwa has not been charged with any criminal offence in connection with the passport or evacuation matters.
• Under Article 19(2)(c) of the 1992 Constitution, every person is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Howedey.com has sought a response from Mr Ablakwa and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. That response will be published when received.
Author: Stella Sunu • Published on Howedey.com
