MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa Ready for Second Round of Vetting
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu and Minister-designate for Foreign Affairs, has sent a strong message to the NPP minority caucus in Parliament, stating his willingness to undergo a second round of vetting.
Despite Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin’s call for him to reappear before the Appointments Committee, Ablakwa remains undeterred.
During his initial vetting on Friday, 31st January, Ablakwa faced over six hours of questioning, with a significant focus on his anti-corruption advocacy.
In a social media post, he accused the minority of launching a smear campaign to tarnish his reputation.
“They had every opportunity when I appeared before them for vetting, but they chose to run away. They had every opportunity when they were in power for eight years to have me prosecuted, but they failed because there was nothing they could find.”
Expressing his readiness to face the committee again, Ablakwa stated:
“Now they have resorted to desperate smear press conferences and infantile fabrications. If they want a second round of vetting, I am ready for them.”
The lawmaker defended his anti-corruption efforts, stating:
“It is not a crime for a Member of Parliament to patriotically and diligently seek the protection of public resources and state assets, pursuant to our constitutional mandate of oversight. Those on the side of truth and justice can never be intimidated.”
Ablakwa concluded by reaffirming his support for President John Mahama and his new ministerial role.
Martin Kpebu, a private legal practitioner and member of the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) committee, refuted claims that drones were used to spy on the properties of the Minority Leader.
He dismissed the allegations as unfounded and urged the public to ignore such statements.
These statements came in response to the Minority Leader’s recent interview, where he alleged that drones had been used to intrude on his beachfront and other properties in Winneba, reportedly observed multiple times by his staff.
