The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has called on Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa to explain allegations that his personal bodyguard was dismissed over the alleged misappropriation of funds meant for the evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa.
The party’s Communications Director, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, claimed that information gathered by the NPP suggested the bodyguard had allegedly pocketed about $10,000 linked to the evacuation exercise.
Speaking at a press conference, Aboagye said the party wanted the minister to clarify the circumstances surrounding the reported dismissal and address questions about how the evacuation funds were handled.
“Okudzeto Ablakwa has sacked his bodyguard, and after we sought information, we gathered that the bodyguard allegedly benefited from $10,000 from the evacuation process. He has since sacked him, so based on that, we are calling on him to come and explain the situation to us because he is the minister, and this is the information we have,” he stated.
The allegation has emerged amid wider scrutiny of the government’s evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa, including questions about the expenditure and the records provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
NPP questions evacuation records
Aboagye also alleged that there were discrepancies in the evacuation records released by the ministry.
According to him, some individuals were listed as beneficiaries of government financial assistance even though they had not signed documents acknowledging receipt of the money.
He argued that the reported inconsistencies required an explanation from the ministry, particularly given the public interest in how funds allocated for the exercise were disbursed.
The NPP is demanding clarification on both the alleged $10,000 involving the bodyguard and the concerns raised about the records of financial assistance provided to returnees.
Calls for transparency over public funds
The party says it wants Ablakwa to account for the reported dismissal and explain the process used to distribute and document financial support during the evacuation.
However, the claims about the bodyguard and the alleged financial irregularities were made by Aboagye on behalf of the NPP. The information provided does not include an independent confirmation of the allegations or a response from Ablakwa.
The minister’s response and any supporting documentation would be necessary to establish the circumstances surrounding the reported dismissal and determine whether any funds were misappropriated.
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