Deputy Presidential Spokesperson and National Democratic Congress (NDC) communicator, Shamima Muslim, has accused the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Minority in Parliament of unfairly targeting Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa over the government’s evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa.
Muslim argued that the Minority’s criticism had shifted from seeking clarification about evacuation expenses and discrepancies in official records to making allegations of criminal conduct against the Foreign Affairs Minister.
Speaking on Good Morning Ghana, hosted by Moro Awudu, she said the focus of the controversy appeared to have moved away from establishing the facts to personally attacking Ablakwa.
She questioned the Minority’s changing position, recalling that its initial concerns did not involve allegations of criminal intent but had gradually developed into accusations of possible wrongdoing.
According to Muslim, the disagreement was partly triggered by the Minority’s reaction to comments made by Ablakwa after he proactively released information about the evacuation exercise.
Shamima Muslim Calls for Audit of Evacuation Expenses
The Deputy Presidential Spokesperson maintained that the best way to resolve the controversy surrounding the Ghanaian evacuation from South Africa was through an independent audit of the expenditure and relevant records.
She argued that an audit would establish whether the reported discrepancies involved financial irregularities or any wrongdoing.
Muslim further stressed that criminal allegations should be handled through the appropriate investigative and legal procedures rather than political exchanges.
NDC Spokesperson Defends Young Government Appointees
Muslim also claimed that several young government officials, including Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Communications Minister Sam George and Sammy Gyamfi, had faced sustained criticism from members of the NPP Minority.
She questioned what she described as inconsistencies in the Minority’s position on public insults and political criticism, arguing that disagreements between political parties should not overshadow the need for a transparent investigation.
She maintained that the controversy should be resolved through a proper examination of the evacuation records to determine whether any financial misconduct occurred.
The disagreement has intensified political discussions surrounding the government’s handling of the South Africa evacuation exercise, public expenditure accountability and the role of the Foreign Affairs Ministry.
Source: newsthemegh.com