The Minority in Parliament is demanding a clear and consistent position from the Mahama administration on Ghana’s diplomatic stance regarding Western Sahara, accusing Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa of contradicting his earlier criticisms of the Akufo-Addo government.
This follows former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s decision before leaving office to suspend diplomatic relations with the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (Western Sahara), a move the current Minister strongly criticised at the time.
However, addressing the media in Parliament, Deputy Ranking Member on the Foreign Affairs Committee, Nana Ayeh Asafo-Adjei, alleged that the same Minister has now assured both Algeria and Morocco of Ghana’s support, despite their opposing positions in the decades-long territorial dispute.
READ: President Mahama swears in Police Council, urges reforms and accountability nationwide
“After becoming foreign minister, he went to Algeria in April to assure the Algerian government of Ghana’s support for Western Sahara’s sovereignty. But a month later, he went to Morocco and assured them of Ghana’s support for their autonomy plan over the same territory,” the Bosome Freho MP claimed.
He described the diplomatic double-speak as deeply damaging to Ghana’s international credibility.
“This inconsistency is making Ghana appear uncertain in its foreign policy. The government must clearly state whether it still supports Western Sahara, as previously aligned with Algeria, or now supports Morocco like Akufo-Addo did,” he added.
Asafo-Adjei recalled that Ablakwa once described Akufo-Addo’s position as “unfortunate” and “not well thought through,” but now appears to have adopted the same stance.
“If he now agrees with Akufo-Addo’s decision to back Morocco, he must publicly acknowledge it and apologise for his past remarks,” he said, warning that such diplomatic flip-flopping could alienate Ghana from international allies.
He further argued that Ghana’s ambiguity could strain relationships with key partners.
“Morocco is backed by the US, UK, and Israel, while other countries support Western Sahara. Our position must be clear or we risk undermining Ghana’s foreign policy credibility,” Asafo-Adjei said.
The Minority is calling on the Mahama administration to officially clarify Ghana’s position and put an end to what they describe as “sweet-talking both sides” of a long-standing geopolitical conflict.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Risa Wyettey Cofie
