National Democratic Congress (NDC) communications team member, Nichiren Appiah Buadi, has backed calls for an audit into allegations surrounding the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, but says demands for the minister’s resignation before the outcome of the exercise are premature.
He argues that although public officials must be held accountable for their actions, calls for the minister to step down should be based on established evidence of wrongdoing rather than allegations that have yet to be substantiated.
Speaking to Arafat Musah on Morning Starr on Starr FM, Mr Appiah Buadi maintained that he believes the Foreign Affairs Minister has done nothing untoward but acknowledged that no public official should consider themselves above scrutiny.
He said the controversy should serve as a reminder to ministers and government appointees that their conduct is constantly being monitored by the public and that they must be prepared to account for their actions.
Mr Appiah Buadi said he agrees with the Minority’s call for an audit, describing it as a necessary step towards establishing the facts surrounding the allegations.
“I agree with NPP where they are calling for an audit. I think it is in the right direction,” he said.
However, he disagreed with the opposition’s demand for the minister’s resignation, arguing that such a call should depend on the findings of the proposed audit.
“Where I also disagree with them vehemently is that you cannot just ask a minister to resign based on these things you have raised,” he stated.
According to him, the minister should only be asked to leave office if the audit report establishes that he has committed an offence or engaged in wrongdoing.
“You can ask him to resign if the report comes out and it is clear that he has done something wrong,” he added.
Mr. Appiah Buadi further cautioned against drawing conclusions about the minister’s conduct before the relevant issues have been properly examined, insisting that the country must prioritise accountability and due process in addressing concerns involving public officials.
He also criticised what he described as the opposition’s failure to provide substantial evidence in some of its criticisms of government, arguing that constructive opposition should involve raising relevant concerns and backing them with credible information.
He maintained that while the Foreign Affairs Minister should not be shielded from legitimate scrutiny, the calls for his resignation should await the outcome of an independent examination of the allegations.
Story By Pamela Quayson
