Deputy Presidential Spokesperson and NDC communicator Shamima Muslim has defended Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa’s handling of questions surrounding the evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa, citing his decision to release documents requested by the Minority.
She said Ablakwa provided the Minority with a 200-page document within 11 days of receiving its request, arguing that the disclosure did not suggest an attempt to conceal information.
“When the Minority requested information from him, he graciously, within 11 days before even the deadline, presented to them a 200-page document,” she said on Good Morning Ghana, hosted by Moro Awudu.
Muslim said the minister’s willingness to release the records should be considered in assessing claims that funds spent on the evacuation had not been properly accounted for.
“At the outset, that doesn’t sound to me like someone who is trying to hide something,” she said.
She also cited Ablakwa’s response to a separate matter involving a staff member, saying he immediately ordered an investigation and asked the individual to step aside.
“I do not think that the Minority people can state categorically that President Mahama is a president who, if a wrongdoing is found against any member of his administration, will fail to act,” she said.
Muslim maintained that the government should not shy away from accountability when wrongdoing is established.
“This government should never ever be afraid to concede when there are wrongdoings or to concede mistakes,” she said.
She added that President John Mahama had pledged to demand high standards from his appointees and hold government officials accountable.
