Former Tema East Member of Parliament (MP), Titus Glover, has called on the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, to make available information being sought by Ofoase-Ayirebi MP, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Mr. Glover questioned why the Foreign Affairs Minister was yet to provide the requested information although the matter has been widely circulated in the media.
According to him, the request should be treated with the transparency and accountability standards that Mr. Ablakwa himself championed while serving in opposition.
“Oppong Nkrumah has filed an RTI for some information on issues with diplomats, but Okudzeto has been dodging and has come to the media,” Mr. Glover said.
The former Minister for Information has reportedly been seeking details on the salaries, allowances, and benefits paid to Ambassadors, High Commissioners, Deputy High Commissioners, and Deputy Ambassadors serving at Ghana’s diplomatic missions abroad.
The request covered details including basic salaries, housing allowances, entertainment packages, travel benefits, medical support, educational assistance, and other privileges available to diplomatic officials and the criteria used to determine these benefits.
However, after months of the request, Mr. Ablakwa is yet to make the information available, a development the former Greater Accra Regional Minister has argued appears inconsistent with the principles he previously advocated.
“Okudzeto Ablakwa was somebody who was instrumental for public disclosures, transparency and accountability while in opposition, so what has changed?” he questioned, adding “He should bring the information we need so we can work with them.”
Mr. Glover maintained that public confidence in governance is strengthened when public officials respond promptly to legitimate information requests and uphold the principles of openness and accountability.
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