By Daniel Bampoe
President John Dramani Mahama government is under fire for what critics call a troubling display of diplomatic double standards in its foreign policy stance on the Western Sahara conflict.
At the centre of the controversy are President John Dramani Mahama and Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who have been accused of backpedaling on their commitments to Sahrawi independence just weeks after publicly reaffirming support for the Sahrawi cause.
Nana Asafo-Adjei, the Deputy Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee and Member of Parliament for Bosome Freho, led the criticism in a strongly worded statement posted on social media.
He described the government’s recent pivot towards Morocco’s Western Sahara autonomy plan as “hypocritical and embarrassing,” especially in light of previous pronouncements made to the contrary.
Background: Ghana’s Changing Stance on Western Sahara
The Western Sahara dispute has long divided African and global politics. Morocco claims sovereignty over the territory, while the Polisario Front, backed by Algeria, seeks full independence for the Sahrawi people.
The African Union recognizes Western Sahara as a member state, while the United Nations considers it a “non-self-governing territory.”
Ghana’s position on the matter has shifted over time. Under the previous administration of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the country reportedly discontinued formal recognition of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) and aligned itself with Morocco’s proposal for limited autonomy.
That position drew criticism from within Ghana’s diplomatic circles — including then-opposition MP Ablakwa — who condemned it as “reckless and unfortunate” during his vetting before the Appointments Committee.
Ablakwa’s Diplomatic Gaffe
Fast forward to May 2025: Ablakwa led a Ghanaian delegation to Morocco, where he signed a landmark visa waiver agreement aimed at boosting tourism and trade.
While the agreement itself was widely welcomed, what stirred controversy was the broader diplomatic overture toward Rabat, interpreted by observers as tacit endorsement of Morocco’s autonomy plan over Western Sahara.
Just weeks earlier, in April, Ablakwa had reportedly assured Algerian officials that Ghana remained committed to the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination.
That assurance now appears to be in direct contradiction with the tone and context of Ghana’s recent engagement with Morocco.
“What has changed between April and May?” Asafo-Adjei asked pointedly. “How can Ghana tell Algeria one thing and Morocco another within weeks? This is not diplomacy; this is a national embarrassment.”
Credibility on the Line
The implications of such perceived inconsistency are not merely political but potentially strategic.
Ghana has long cultivated relationships with both Algeria and Morocco, and its commitment to African solidarity and Pan-Africanism has hinged on clear and principled stances in matters of international justice.
Critics argue that vacillating between support for Western Sahara and courting Moroccan partnership could damage Ghana’s reputation as a reliable diplomatic player.
Nana Asafo-Adjei warned that the flip-flopping not only risks undermining Ghana’s moral credibility but also jeopardizes diplomatic ties with key regional allies.
“The international community is watching,” he cautioned. “This kind of behavior sends the wrong message — that Ghana’s foreign policy is up for sale or swayed by short-term gains.”
What Lies Ahead
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not officially responded to the criticisms, and it remains unclear whether President Mahama will clarify Ghana’s current position on the Western Sahara conflict in the coming days.
Meanwhile, analysts say the incident underscores the urgent need for consistency and transparency in Ghana’s foreign policy, particularly in areas as sensitive and geopolitically charged as the Western Sahara issue.
