- By Daniel Bampoe
A tense moment unfolded on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday as the Minority vented its fury over the unexplained absence of the Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
The Minister, who also serves as the National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP for North Tongu, failed to appear before the House to respond to scheduled questions — a move that Minority MPs described as a blatant display of disrespect toward Parliament.
Leading the charge was the Minority Chief Whip and MP for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, who delivered a scathing critique of Ablakwa’s no-show.
Addressing the House, Annoh-Dompreh rejected the justification that the Foreign Minister could not be reached by phone, describing it as an “unacceptable and untenable excuse.”
“In this House, when ministers cannot attend, the least they can do is show respect,” Annoh-Dompreh said.
“You can’t just stand up and say his line is unreachable. What network is he using—MTN, Vodafone, or what? This kind of excuse is lame, and we will not accept it.”
The MP’s sharp remarks reflected growing frustration over what is being described as an emerging trend of absenteeism among key ministers.
Annoh-Dompreh accused some cabinet members of sidestepping parliamentary oversight by simply submitting written responses or ignoring summons altogether.
Okudzeto Ablakwa’s absence was particularly striking, given his vocal stance on accountability while in opposition.
As an NDC MP during previous administration, he was known for championing transparency and urging that “sunshine be brought upon every single thing” in government.
That history, the Minority argues, now stands in stark contrast to his current conduct.
“Okudzeto Ablakwa, who once demanded transparency from others, is now evading scrutiny,” Annoh-Dompreh said.
“This is the same man who believed in full disclosure, and now that he is in power, he’s avoiding the very principles he preached.”
A Widening Accountability Crisis?
The controversy over Ablakwa’s absence is just the latest in a string of complaints about ministerial dereliction.
Annoh-Dompreh noted that the Transport Minister and Minister for Fisheries were also absent, and expressed concern that some ministers with deputies were simply defaulting to letters rather than appearing in person.
“There’s a pattern here. Some ministers think they can just write a note and avoid appearing. That’s not accountability. That’s an abuse of the process,” he charged.
“Why can’t they emulate the Road Minister, who is always present — even though, as I’ve said before, my own road hasn’t been fixed?”
Calls for Procedural Discipline
The Minority Chief Whip also directed his frustration toward the Majority leadership and the Chief Whip of the Majority, urging them to enforce order and uphold parliamentary protocols.
He suggested that ministers should be required to communicate any scheduling conflicts through the Chief Whip, who would then inform the House appropriately.
“When we were in leadership, ministers reported through the Chief Whip. That process must be restored,” he insisted. “You can’t just vanish and leave the House hanging.”
The House was informed that even parliamentary clerks had been unable to reach Minister Ablakwa, adding to suspicions that the absence was deliberate.
“You cannot take this House for granted,” Annoh-Dompreh warned. “Find the Foreign Minister. Get him now. We need him in this House.”
