Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has denied organizing staff of the Ministry to welcome him at the Accra International Airport (AIA) from the United States (US).
The swift rebuttal follows accusation on that the Minister compulsory asked the staff to welcome him from his trip with President John Dramani Mahama, to the United Nations (UN), where Ghana led a resolution to recognize the Trans African Slave Trade as the gravest crime against humanity.
A circular dated March 29 and signed on his behalf by the Director/HR &Administration Divine A. Seanedzu said “I am directed to invite all Divisions to the Accra International Airport to welcome the Minister, Honourable Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa (MP), upon arrival from New York, USA”.
The date of their gathering was Sunday, March 30, at 6:45 a.m. prompt at the VIP Lounge.
The circular continued to say that, the presence of the staff will be appreciated “as we extend a warm welcome, to the Hon. Minister, following the successful adoption of the historical UNGA resolution led by Ghana on the Declaration of the Trafficking of Enslaved Africans and Racialized Chattel Enslavement of Africans as the Gravest Crime against Humanity”.
But reacting to the accusation on his social media platforms, the Minister who is also the MP for the North Tongu constituency said his checks have revealed that this is something the Ministry does anytime there is a major feats at the international stage for Ghana.
“I have expressed my appreciation to management for their thoughtful gesture and instructed that all such plans to offer me a surprise welcome at the Airport be cancelled immediately”.
He denied prior knowledge of the arrangement indicating that, if he was informed, he would have declined the gesture to surprise him.
He insisted that the feat chalked by Ghana and Africa as a whole was not a personal glory, and “besides, there is more work ahead of us”.
Meanwhile, President Mahama and his high powered delegation last night arrived at the airport to a rousing welcome. He was met at the VIP Lounge by the Vice President, Prof Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang and other government officials.
By Gifty Boateng