North Tongu Member of Parliament, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has stated that he does not fear vetting, contrary to purported beliefs.
According to the lawmaker, the chaos that erupted on Thursday, January 30, 2025, was unnecessary, as he firmly believed it was his rightful time to be vetted.
His comments follow a recent fracas in Parliament that led to the destruction of chairs, tables, and microphones during the vetting of Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Minister of Health.
Speaking as a witness during his appearance before the special committee established by the Speaker of Parliament to probe the issues, Okudzeto Ablakwa mentioned that the Minority tried to create an impression that he was smuggled in to be vetted, despite receiving an invitation for his vetting that Thursday.
Okudzeto stressed that he has worked diligently and conducted himself honourably in public service. Therefore, he sees no need to conspire with the Majority side to be smuggled in for vetting when he had already been invited by the Appointments Committee.
“To be very honest with you, Chairman, it’s been a very, very difficult period. The impression they tried to create out there was as though there was a certain conspiracy with members on the Majority side. We didn’t want to be thoroughly vetted so we just wanted to be smuggled in so that we could have an easy pass. But this is not the first time I’ve been invited for vetting,” he said.
He continued “This will be probably my third vetting. I’ve been vetted as Deputy Minister for Information and Deputy Minister for Education. This is my third vetting. I do not fear vetting. I had nothing to worry about, nothing to fear because I believe that I’ve always discharged myself in public office with integrity and honour and there was really nothing to fear. So why will I conspire with my Majority colleagues to be smuggled in at night and just have an easy pass?”
Background
On Thursday, January 30, 2025, chaos erupted in Parliament during the vetting of the Minister of Health-designate, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh and Minister of Foreign Affairs-designate Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
According to Frank Annoh-Dompreh, the Member of Parliament for Nsawam Adoagyiri and Minority Chief Whip, the Appointments Committee had agreed to vet four nominees on that day.
However, five nominees were vetted, and two additional nominees. including the Minister of Foreign Affairs-designate, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, and the Minister of Health-designate, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh were added to the list, leading to the chaos.
As a result of the conflict between the Majority and the Minority, microphones and tables were destroyed.
The Minority side was seen overturning the vetting table and destroying almost all materials on it.
Following the fracas, a special parliamentary committee, chaired by Ho West MP Emmanuel Bedzrah, was tasked with investigating the incident and submitting a report within ten days.
Watch the video below:
VKB/EK
You can also watch as Asiedu Nketiah allegedly drags President Mahama to FEC over appointments snub