The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Minority in Parliament has called on President John Dramani Mahama to dismiss the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, over diplomatic failures.
The group accused him of incompetence and failure to effectively manage Ghana’s international relations.
Speaking to journalists in Accra on Tuesday, January 20, the Deputy Ranking Member on the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament, Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, said Ghana could not continue on its current foreign policy path.
“Ghana has always been a model of stability and reliability abroad. Under this Minister, that reputation is collapsing. We are now listed as a ‘migration risk’ by the United States and facing diplomatic setbacks with Israel and Europe—all preventable,” Nana Ayeh pointed out.
The Minority’s criticism followed a major shift in the United States (US) immigration policy.
In January 2026, the US State Department announced it would pause immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries, including Ghana, from January 21, 2026, indefinitely.
The US cited concerns that applicants are likely to become dependent on public benefits and require further review of screening procedures.
Minority, Nana Ayeh indicated, has lost confidence in the Foreign Affairs Minister’s ability to protect Ghana’s diplomatic and economic interests, particularly in relation to the recent developments with the United States.
He accused Ablakwa of lacking the temperament required to manage complex bilateral relations, insisting the Foreign Affairs Minister has prioritised public applause over concrete achievements.
Nana Ayeh argued that the national interest, the welfare of Ghanaians, and the country’s international reputation all demanded urgent change at the Foreign Ministry.
The Minister, he added, had demonstrated beyond a reasonable doubt that he was no longer fit for the role.
“The Minority therefore calls on the President to remove Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa from the Foreign Affairs portfolio immediately and appoint a competent diplomat with proven experience, steady judgment and a genuine commitment to Ghana’s long-term interests over personal political theatre,” he stated.
The Minority is also demanding urgent public accountability from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs within seven days.
He said the ministry must organise a comprehensive press conference to explain all official communications between Ghana and the United States over the past 18 months concerning migration cooperation, deportation matters and visa processing.
The Minority is also demanding clear explanations from the ministry on the specific reasons provided by Washington for including Ghana on a list of 75 countries affected by visa-related restrictions.
Nana Ayeh further challenged the ministry to outline any strategy it has in place to ensure Ghana’s removal from the list.
He further called for a full accounting of remittance projections and a detailed economic impact assessment of the visa freeze, stressing that the policy could have serious consequences for millions of Ghanaian families who depend on remittances from abroad.
“We demand immediate public accountability. Within seven days the foreign ministry must hold a comprehensive press conference to address all communications between Ghana and the US regarding migration cooperation, deportation issues and visa processing over the past 18 months.
“Specific reasons given by the Washington for including Ghana on the 75 country list, the ministry’s strategy if any exists to ensure Ghana’s removal from that list. Full accounting of remittance projections and economic impact assessment of the visa freeze,” Nana Ayeh stressed.
By Collins Adu-Gyamfi
