Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has firmly rejected reports alleging that he approved a $5.2 million renovation contract for Ghana’s embassy in Benin.
In a statement on X, the Minister clarified that since assuming office, he has not sanctioned any embassy renovation or construction contracts.
“For the record, I have not awarded any embassy renovation contract anywhere in the world. Let me be clear — not a single embassy renovation or construction contract has been awarded by me since I became Foreign Minister,” he stressed.
Instead, Ablakwa said his ministry has saved public funds by scrapping a $3.5 million single-source contract for the renovation of Ghana’s embassy in Abidjan.
The contract, he noted, was awarded on November 7, 2024, but was cancelled under his watch.
“On the contrary, I have rather protected taxpayers by canceling a US$3.5million single source midnight contract to renovate our embassy in Abidjan which was awarded on 7th November, 2024.”
He urged the public to disregard what he described as false and politically motivated claims, reaffirming his commitment to transparency and accountability.
“I shall never betray the trust of the Ghanaian people as we work tirelessly, and with integrity, to achieve President Mahama’s Reset Agenda,” Ablakwa assured.
The Minister emphasised that his priority remains safeguarding taxpayers’ money and ensuring prudent management of state resources.
