Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has dismissed as false and misleading claims made by Ghana’s former Ambassador to the United States, Hajia Alima Mahama, concerning the controversial service arrangements at Ghana’s Embassy in Washington DC.
Addressing the media at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday, June 26, Ablakwa responded to ongoing attempts by the former ambassador to downplay the findings of a recent investigation. “When the former Ambassador, Hajia Alima Mahama, says the services offered by Fred Kwarteng at the Ghana’s Embassy in Washington DC were optional, that’s a palpable lie,” he stated firmly.
He said the ministry fully stands by the findings of the fact-finding mission, which uncovered grave administrative and financial misconduct. “Any responsible leadership would’ve acted on the rot at Ghana’s Embassy in Washington DC,” he added.
According to him, the investigative team led by a senior ministry official uncovered serious violations of Ghana’s laws, including naked conflict of interest, corruption, and a breakdown of internal controls. “There was absolutely no way a responsible leadership, discovering that kind of massive corruption, would refuse to act,” he emphasized.
Ablakwa further questioned the propriety of an agreement signed by the former ambassador with Fred Kwarteng, the embassy’s IT officer, for courier and other services. “How can an ambassador, Hajia Alima Mahama, sign an agreement for the provision of courier and other services with her staff, the IT officer?” he queried.
He accused the former ambassador of attempting to discredit the ministry’s response and protect questionable dealings. “The former ambassador has been making some statements and seeking to undermine the measures that we have carried out and peddling a lot of conclusions about our conduct,” he noted.
Ablakwa concluded that the matter has been referred to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), and that investigations will soon catch up with the former ambassador, whom he accused of engaging in one of the most questionable deals he has seen in the diplomatic service.
Source: Ghana/starrfm.com.gh/Emmanuel Mensah
