Nat’l Tymes News Desk
THE VOLTA Regional Chapter of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) has fiercely rejected calls by the Minority in Parliament for the removal of Foreign Affairs Minister, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, describing the demand as ill-informed, partisan and out of touch with global realities.
In a strongly worded statement signed by the NDC Regional Chairman, Comrade Mawutor Agbavitor, said the Minority is trying to score cheap political points over recent U.S. visa and migration policy changes, even though many countries around the world are facing the same restrictions.
According to him, the United States is simply reviewing its immigration and welfare systems due to economic pressure and policy changes; a move that has affected several countries including Barbados, Brazil, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, Russia, Togo, Rwanda, and Ghana.
“It is unfair and dishonest to single out Ghana’s Foreign Minister when these decisions are global and sovereign actions by the U.S.,” the statement said. The party reminded Ghanaians that this is not the first time visa restrictions have been imposed on Ghana, recalling the 2019 U.S. restrictions on B1 and B2 visas, which happened under Nana Addo – Bawumia government.
The Volta Regional NDC argued that if today’s Minority was being fair, they would admit that such matters go beyond the control of any one minister. The Volta NDC further accused the Minority of hypocrisy, pointing out that Ghana itself recently repatriated over 2,000 foreign street beggars between May and July 2025 to protect its social services. “If Ghana can take steps to manage immigration, why deny other nations the same right?” the statement asked.
Backing its position with facts, the regional NDC cited Pew Research Center data, which shows that Ghanaians are the fourth-largest African immigrant group in the United States. The party stressed that Ghanaians contribute heavily to the U.S. economy through healthcare, education, business and skilled labour; dismissing claims that immigrants are welfare abusers.
The statement also praised Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa’s record, saying his leadership has transformed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Among his achievements are:
The establishment of 7 new passport application centres;
Introduction of Ghana’s first same-day passport delivery service;
Launch of smart courier passport delivery with electronic tracking
Securing a US$60 million grant from China;
Facilitating €59 million in EU military and counter-terrorism support.
The Volta Regional NDC concluded that the call to dismiss the Minister is baseless and politically motivated, urging Ghanaians to reject what it described as a “calculated attempt to mislead the public.”
Source: Nationaltymes.com
