News:
January 22, 2026
Nana Asafo-Agyei, the Deputy Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, has publicly criticized Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, over the government’s diplomatic approach and use of social media.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Asafo-Agyei questioned the government’s overarching strategy. “Resetting foreign policy does not mean you collapse the diplomatic gains already achieved,” he stated. He challenged the premise that Ghana’s diplomatic standing required a major overhaul, asking, “Past foreign ministers before our current minister did not break our diplomatic credentials. So why are you trying to fix it?”
The MP argued that while the current government under President Mahama might garner short-term popularity for appearing assertive, this approach carries long-term risks. “When you create the impression that you are merely the teeth for a [party] government, your people may be happy Ghana is flexing its muscles. But the long-term implication—how other nations and missions view your position—is what is important,” Asafo-Agyei cautioned.
He cited the European Union’s position on Gaza reconstruction as a key example of misalignment. “On the EU issue, President Trump has made a proposal to rebuild Gaza, charging other countries billions of dollars to aid in that. The entire EU has taken a position that Gaza must be rebuilt by its own people for any plan to be consolidated. Yet, our Foreign Minister has taken the side of Trump,” he said.
“This betrays our allies in the EU,” Asafo-Agyei lamented. “We are not saying our government should not speak, but we spoke too early and we did so alone. That is the problem, and we should look at these things.”
The MP also launched a pointed critique of Minister Ablakwa’s reliance on social media for official communications. “I ask myself, why is it that this government is all over social media? Everything about the ministry is on social media,” he said. “The Minister announced the closure of our mission in Washington, D.C., from his personal social media page, not from the Ministry’s official channels. From the comfort of his room—that is how he runs the Ministry. Our diplomatic conduct must be looked at again.”
Reported by Kwaku Sakyi-Danso / Ghanamps.com