Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudjeto Ablakwa has strongly refuted allegations circulating in the media that he approved a US$5.2 million renovation contract for the country’s embassy in Benin.
In a facebook post on Monday , the Minister urged the public to “treat with utter contempt” what she described as baseless claims. He clarified that no such contract has been awarded under her leadership, either in Benin or in any other country.
“For the record, I have not awarded any embassy renovation contract anywhere in the world,” the Minister stated. “Let me be clear — not a single embassy renovation or construction contract has been awarded by me since I became Foreign Minister.”
He went further to highlight his efforts to safeguard public funds, revealing that he had canceled a previously approved US$3.5 million single-source contract for renovation works at Ghana’s embassy in Abidjan. That contract, he noted, had been awarded on November 7, 2024, prior to her tenure.
“On the contrary, I have rather protected taxpayers by canceling a US$3.5 million single source midnight contract to renovate our embassy in Abidjan,” she said.
The Minister reaffirmed his dedication to ethical governance and emphasized his commitment to President Mahama’s Reset Agenda, which prioritizes transparency, accountability, and national renewal.
“I shall never betray the trust of the Ghanaian people as we work tirelessly, and with integrity, to achieve President Mahama’s Reset Agenda,” he concluded.
The statement comes amid growing scrutiny over government spending and contract approvals, with civil society groups calling for greater oversight in public procurement processes.
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