The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has dismissed reports suggesting that he has awarded a renovation contract for Ghana’s embassy in Benin at a cost of US$5.2 million.
In a Facebook post on Monday, September 8, the Minister urged the public to “treat with utter contempt” what he described as false and misleading claims.
“For the record, I have not awarded any embassy renovation contract anywhere in the world. Not a single embassy renovation or construction contract has been awarded by me since I became Foreign Minister,” he clarified.
Mr. Ablakwa emphasized that rather than approving questionable contracts, he has acted to safeguard public funds.
According to him, he recently canceled a US$3.5 million single-source contract to renovate Ghana’s embassy in Abidjan, which was awarded on November 7, 2024, under questionable circumstances.
Reaffirming his commitment to accountability and prudent use of resources, the Minister assured Ghanaians that he will continue to uphold the public trust.
“I shall never betray the trust of the Ghanaian people as we work tirelessly, and with integrity, to achieve President Mahama’s Reset Agenda,” Mr. Ablakwa stated.
