The government has officially canceled two controversial transactions initiated under the previous Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration to sell Ghanaian diplomatic properties in Nigeria and Zambia.
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, made the announcement in Parliament, stating that the decision had the full backing of President John Mahama.
“Yesterday I informed Parliament that with the full backing of President Mahama, we have cancelled two transactions initiated by the previous Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government to sell Ghanaian diplomatic properties in Nigeria and Zambia,” Ablakwa stated.
The Minister further disclosed that attempts were underway to recover an unlawful part payment made in one of the transactions. He assured the public that those responsible for the deal, some of whom are currently on the run, would be tracked down and sanctioned.
“Determined efforts are underway to retrieve an illegal part payment in one of the transactions. The masterminds, who are currently on the run, will surely be found and sanctioned,” he emphasized.
Ablakwa reassured Ghanaians that under the current administration, no diplomatic properties, either within the country or in any of Ghana’s 71 diplomatic missions abroad, would be sold.
“We mean it when we say no diplomatic property belonging to the people of Ghana would be sold under our watch,” he said, serving a strong warning to potential buyers.
The Foreign Affairs Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to upholding transparency and preventing state capture.
“Notice is hereby served that none of our diplomatic properties either in Ghana or any of our 71 diplomatic missions abroad are available for sale — hands off! The principles of ORAL, strict abhorrence for State Capture, and the national interest shall continue to guide our decisions,” Ablakwa declared.
