Member of Parliament for North Tongu Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has critiqued some of President Akufo-Addo’s ministers, expressing his dissatisfaction with their public utterances.
Ablakwa urged for a reevaluation of the conduct of government ministers, emphasizing the need for respect towards Ghanaian citizens.
“President Akuffo Addo’s ministers must be sent back to an emergency workshop or seminar. Unfortunately, the bill that they will return with, we may regret that we even gave this advice, but we should tell them that they should do the workshop right at the cabinet room. And they need to talk to themselves,” he said in an interview with Johnnie Hughes on 3FM Sunrise Morning Show on March 3.
He expressed dismay at the manner in which government ministers respond to public concerns, questioning their understanding of their mandate.
“Increasingly, the way ministers are speaking to citizens who have the power. Who put them in office? People should always remember this government appointees and officials and ministers should remember that without the people’s vote, you are not a minister, your party is not in power. The constitution is clear. Power belongs to the people in Ghana” he asserted.
He cited an instance involving the Energy Minister, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh’s remarks about persons asking for loadshedding timetable to produce it for themselves, describing it as unacceptable. “The last time the Energy Minister said go and produce your own timetable…how dare the minister, how dare him?” Ablakwa quizzed.
Touching on the passport fee increase, in respect of which the Foreign Affairs Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey asked those complaining not to apply if they have no need for it, Ablakwa highlighted the importance of passports beyond mere travel documentation. “People don’t apply for passports because they are wealthy or they want to go and buy expensive tickets,” he emphasized. “There are many transactions today, banks and all of that, that require you to get a passport. People go for passports as identity.”
Ablakwa concluded his impassioned plea for respect and consideration from government officials, urging them to remember the source of their authority. “The mindset of our ministers must change; they should show us some respect,” he asserted. “All the Ghanaian people want is that you show us respect. You honor us.”
By Joselyn Kafui Nyadzi
