Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and former anti-luxury crusader in Parliament, is facing growing public and political pressu
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and former anti-luxury crusader in Parliament, is facing growing public and political pressure to resign following revelations that Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang returned from a medical trip abroad aboard a luxury private jet.
Critics argue the development is a direct contradiction of Ablakwa’s long-held public stance against the use of private air travel by government officials.
The controversy has brought Ablakwa’s credibility under fire, with many recalling his vocal criticisms during the Akufo-Addo administration when he persistently condemned the use of private jets for official trips, often framing it as wasteful and insensitive in a country struggling with economic hardship.
As an opposition MP then, Ablakwa who lives in the exclusive Airport Hills area where part of government lands was nicodemously appropriated but couldn’t raise a finger, published details of government travel costs and led a campaign for transparency and fiscal responsibility.
He later came public to claim that he is renting in the exclusive enclave without mentioning his rent amount.
Now, as a sitting minister in the Mahama administration, his silence following Vice President Opoku-Agyemang’s return from London using an expensive chartered flight has sparked accusations of double standards and political hypocrisy.
From Watchdog to Target
The uproar was triggered by a social media post from John Ntim Fordjour, MP for Assin South, who resurrected a public vow made by Ablakwa.
In his post, Fordjour urged Ablakwa to resign immediately, referencing the minister’s past pledge that he would step down if a government he serves in ever used a private jet for the President or Vice President.
“You were categorical in your vow,” Fordjour wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “You dared Ghanaians that you would immediately resign as Minister if your Presidency used a private jet.”
The Vice President’s return aboard a VistaJet, a private charter service that charges tens of thousands of dollars per hour, is now at the center of a growing political storm.
It has become a test of whether Ablakwa will remain consistent with his previously strong anti-luxury stance or allow political expediency to override his principles.
Contrasts
Political actors and commentators have been quick to draw comparisons with past events.
Alhassan Tampuli, former Deputy Transport Minister, recalled how then-Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia returned from a 12-day medical leave in London in 2018 aboard a British Airways commercial flight — a decision widely praised at the time as frugal and appropriate.
“There were several commercial flights between Accra and London then, and there are even more now,” Tampuli stated, implicitly questioning why Vice President Opoku-Agyemang could not do the same.
Adding to the chorus of scrutiny, political columnist P.K. Sarpong issued a pointed open letter to Ablakwa, reminding him of the moral high ground he once occupied.
Sarpong demanded answers to a list of specific questions, including:
What was the cost of the VistaJet flight?
Why was the presidential jet not used?
Was the presidential aircraft unserviceable?
Why wasn’t a commercial airline, even in First Class, an option?
Sarpong’s letter directly challenged Ablakwa: “Your prying eyes cannot be dimmed now simply because you are in power.”
A Damaging Narrative
The optics of the Vice President traveling on an expensive private jet — potentially at the taxpayer’s expense — during a time of economic strain has intensified public outrage.
The Mahama administration has promised to curb wasteful spending and introduce austerity measures, making the private flight appear both politically tone-deaf and financially reckless in the eyes of many citizens.
Civil society groups and social media users have weighed in, arguing that if health-related travel necessitated enhanced security or urgency, it should have been accompanied by full transparency on costs and decision-making processes.
Instead, the absence of clear government communication has only fueled suspicions.
While some supporters of the Vice President emphasize that her health and security were paramount, they also agree that the government owes the public an explanation.
Calls for Accountability
Okudzeto Ablakwa’s political brand has been built on transparency, accountability, and a strong stance against the misuse of public funds. For critics, the current silence is deafening.
“He has to choose between credibility and convenience,” one political analyst said. “If he fails to act on his own promises, he risks becoming just another politician who says one thing in opposition and does the opposite in power.”
As pressure mounts, Ablakwa faces a critical juncture. His next move could determine not only his standing in government but also his future as a figure of public trust.
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