Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, former Deputy Minister of Education and Ranking Member on Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, has called on Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa to resign immediately following reports that Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang returned to Ghana aboard a private jet.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, Ntim Fordjour invoked Ablakwa’s past comments and vows made while in opposition, insisting that the Minister must now live up to his own standards.
“Okudzeto Ablakwa… do the noble thing and resign with immediate effect,” the former deputy minister stated. “You hang yourself with your words!”
Ntim Fordjour’s comments reference Ablakwa’s well-known stance against the use of private jets for presidential and vice-presidential travel.
While in opposition, Ablakwa publicly criticised such travel arrangements as wasteful and unnecessary, often publishing detailed accounts of costs and raising concerns over government expenditure.
According to Ntim Fordjour, these past remarks were “populist stunts” which earned Ablakwa applause within his party but failed to acknowledge the reality that certain official exigencies might necessitate the use of private jets.
“You were categorical in your vow. You dared Ghanaians that you would immediately resign as Minister if your Presidency used a private jet in their regime,” Fordjour asserted in his post.
He added that the current situation involving Vice President Opoku-Agyemang, whose flight was reportedly paid for with public funds, represents a clear breach of the principles Ablakwa claimed to uphold.
“Be a man of PRINCIPLES and RESIGN!” he urged. Fordjour also clarified that using private jets is not inherently criminal or inappropriate when the official Presidential jet is unavailable.
As of the time of reporting, Mr Ablakwa has not publicly responded to Rev. Fordjour’s demand.
However, the issue has already sparked political debate and renewed scrutiny over government expenditure and accountability.