By Michael Foli Jackidy, GNA
Ho (V/R), Nov. 12, GNA – The Volta Regional Chapter of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has declared its support for Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, amid allegations of irregularities in the administration of Ghana’s service and diplomatic passports.
Mr Mawutor Agbavitor, the Volta Regional Chairman of the NDC, said this at a press conference in Ho, accusing the New Patriotic Party (NPP) of turning the passport investigation into a political campaign to discredit the Minister.
He said although the Minority had a constitutional responsibility to scrutinise government activities and demand accountability, such efforts must be guided by credible evidence, fairness and respect for due process.
Mr Agbavitor stressed that accountability was essential to democracy but should not be used as an instrument of political persecution.
He said the NDC was concerned about what he described as attempts to portray the Minister as guilty before the relevant investigative institutions had completed their work.
Mr Agbavitor also called for a clear distinction between service and diplomatic passports, saying the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement dated November 8, indicated that the investigations centered on alleged irregularities in the issuance of service passports.
He said the Ministry had stated that preliminary investigations had not established evidence that Ghana’s diplomatic passports were being sold.
Mr Agbavitor challenged the Minority to submit any credible evidence of the alleged sale of diplomatic passports to the appropriate investigative authorities, rather than make claims that could undermine public confidence in the country’s travel documents.
On the timeline of the alleged passport irregularities, Mr Agbavitor said the Ministry’s statement indicated that the scheme had been operating since 2023, before the NDC assumed office in January 2025.
He cited the case of Mr Alhassan Sumani, a junior Foreign Service Officer, who was reportedly linked to the alleged activities in 2023 before being recruited into the Foreign Service on November 29, 2024.
He questioned the administrative supervision and controls at the Passport Office during the period and called for investigations to cover both the previous and current administrations.
Mr Agbavitor said the Ministry had taken several steps following the receipt of petitions, including the establishment of an investigative committee on October 13, and the interdiction of the Acting Director of Passports, Mr Mahama Yahaya Amantana, and Mr Sumani.
He said both officers had been referred to the Ghana Police Service for further investigations and possible prosecution, while 10 service passports identified through preliminary investigations had been cancelled.
He said the measures demonstrated that the Ministry had initiated institutional processes to address the allegations and urged the Minority to allow the investigations to proceed without political interference.
The NDC Regional Chairman also questioned the NPP’s demand for the Minister’s resignation before the conclusion of the investigations, describing the position as inconsistent with the principles of fairness and presumption of innocence.
He maintained that the Minister’s administrative responsibility must be distinguished from personal criminal culpability, which could only be established through evidence and due process.
Mr Agbavitor further defended Mr Ablakwa’s record in promoting public accountability during the previous NPP administration, saying his interventions on government expenditure, public appointments and procurement decisions had contributed to national scrutiny.
He also commended the Minister’s advocacy for reparatory justice at the United Nations, describing it as an important contribution to Ghana’s diplomatic standing and Africa’s pursuit of historical justice.
He, however, stressed that no public official should be exempt from accountability, adding that international recognition or diplomatic achievements should not place anyone above the law.
He called on the NPP to present any evidence it had to the appropriate institutions and avoid using political pressure as a substitute for investigation.
Mr Agbavitor said the controversy was bigger than the Minister, as it touched on the integrity of Ghana’s public institutions and the standards required to sustain the country’s democratic culture.
He urged Ghanaians to demand accountability from every government while insisting on fairness, transparency and equal treatment under the law.
He said the Volta NDC remained committed to responsible governance, institutional accountability, diplomatic excellence and the protection of the dignity of all Ghanaians.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/ Christabel Addo