In a press release dated May 29, 2025, the Damongo MP said the closure, which lasted only three days, lacked proper diplomatic procedure and has damaged Ghana’s reputation internationally.

“This abrupt decision has made Ghana the butt of jokes in diplomatic circles,” he said.

Jinapor questioned why the entire embassy had to be closed when the alleged misconduct involved only a few staff in the consular section. He also criticized the suspension of staff, the dissolution of the IT department, and the mass recall of foreign officers as excessive and demoralizing.

“You don’t demoralize an entire mission over the wrongdoing of one or two people,” he noted.

He urged the Ministry to act swiftly to restore Ghana’s image abroad and adopt a more measured approach in managing diplomatic institutions.

“We must protect the morale of our hardworking officers and avoid populist decisions that cost the nation’s image,” Jinapor added.

Source: AdomOnline

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According to him, while the President presents this as a move toward efficiency, many of the responsibilities previously handled by ministers have simply been shifted to the Office of the President.

This, he said, has led to the appointment of numerous Presidential Advisors, Staffers, and Aides—many of whom receive the same benefits as ministers but do not require parliamentary approval.

“The President says he has reduced the number of ministers, but he has increased the number of people working at the presidency. These advisors and staffers enjoy the same privileges as ministers, so where is the cost reduction?” Jinapor questioned.

He explained that some of these appointees, such as Senior Presidential Advisors, receive salaries and benefits equivalent to Cabinet Ministers, while Presidential Aides are treated like Deputy Ministers.

Jinapor also noted that despite merging or scrapping some ministries, their functions still exist and are now being handled within the presidency, meaning the government’s overall spending has not reduced.

He highlighted that the Office of the President now has several high-ranking officials, including a Senior Presidential Advisor on Government Affairs and nearly 10 other Presidential Advisors focusing on different sectors such as the economy, corruption, and diaspora affairs.

“There is even a Director of Agriculture and Agribusiness at the presidency, yet we already have a Ministry of Food and Agriculture. So, what exactly is being reduced?” he asked.

Jinapor also pointed out that while the President has decided not to appoint Deputy Regional Ministers, he has instead assigned 16 Presidential Staffers to oversee regional matters. He questioned whether these individuals are simply Deputy Regional Ministers under a new title.

Additionally, he raised concerns about the growing number of communication-related appointments at the presidency, revealing that there are over 20 people handling government communications, including a Presidential Advisor on Media, multiple Directors and Deputy Directors of Communication, and other specialists.

“What exactly are they all supposed to be communicating?” he asked.

Beyond the issue of government size, Jinapor criticized the President for failing to fulfill key campaign promises, such as ensuring that 30% of Cabinet Ministers are women.

“If the promise cannot be kept, the government should be honest with Ghanaians instead of quietly making appointments without accountability,” he stated.

He concluded that shifting responsibilities from ministries to the presidency does not reduce costs but instead raises concerns about transparency and governance.

He urged the government to be open with citizens and prove that these changes truly lead to efficiency rather than simply renaming roles while maintaining the same expenses.

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Read the full statement below:

Addressing the media, Mr. Jinapor dismissed the claims, insisting that such language is not characteristic of him.

“I do not speak in that manner; the words attributed to me are not mine,” he stated firmly.

He emphasized that anyone familiar with his public and political life would know he does not engage in such discourse.

“The words being falsely attributed to me are not words I will ever use,” he reiterated.

According to Mr. Jinapor, he only became aware of the allegation after a video of the incident began trending the next morning.

“I didn’t even know such words had been uttered. When the video was brought to my attention, I found it totally false. It cannot be correct,” he said.

Clarifying his approach to Parliamentary debates, he stated that he does not engage in exchanges across the aisle but speaks only when recognized by the Speaker.

Mr. Jinapor also reaffirmed his deep respect for former President Jerry John Rawlings, recounting his past engagements with the late leader and his family.

He recalled visiting Rawlings multiple times and seconding a tribute to him in Parliament after his passing.

“When his children established a foundation for tree planting, I was the guest of honor. It is on record what I said about him,” he added.

He reiterated his respect for the Rawlings family and insisted that he would never make such a statement about Dr. Zanetor Rawlings.

“It would not even cross my mind,” he said.

The alleged remark was heard while Minority Leader Afenyo-Markin was speaking on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday, February 4.

A voice was captured saying, “Doctor of a murderer, sit down,” seemingly directed at Dr. Zanetor Rawlings.

The Minority Leader, appearing visibly shocked, paused his speech and turned around in apparent disapproval.

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According to him, the lack of consultation led to heightened tensions in the Constituency.

He stated that some NPP executives were reportedly assaulted by soldiers guarding these mining sites.

“It is an issue that we are all worried about.  It’s on record that from the beginning of our constituency, that is Bamboi, and to the end of it, has plenty mineral companies on both the right and left sides of the road and so of course, we have some galamsey activities going on there.”

According to the MP, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources issued licenses to only four small-scale mining companies since February, while granting land to over seven large-scale miners without engagement with stakeholders.

“Unfortunately, from February to date, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has allocated the lands to over 7 large scale miners and the problem was that there was no proper stakeholder consultations. And so the youth are there and they will see heavy equipment coming to take over what they are doing and that is where the clash is coming from.”

According to Mr Sulemana, it is only the NPP executives who are given the “juicy” places to do their galamsey work.

He added that the vice chairman of the NPP and the secretary have been hospitalised as they were brutalised by the military.

“They were brutalized because some ministers have asked the military to go and protect the Chinese who are they doing whatever they call it. They say it’s prospecting but I am telling you that they are mining.”

“The bottom line is that the minister responsible for lands and natural resources must tell us why he is portioning the land to large-scale miners without stakeholder arrangement. Nobody is saying he doesn’t have the right.”

“Per the constitutional arrangement, whatever is in the soil is being kept on behalf of the people by the president.  So the president can allocate land for such mineral activities. But in doing so, we have laws that have also asked that, you do that in consultation with the stakeholders.”

Yusif Sulemana warned there will be further disturbances if the process of handing out these mining concessions is not streamlined.

“My appeal to the minister is that he should tread cautiously in terms of the way he allocates the land to large-scale miners. He can do that by ensuring the youth are also given small-scale mining processes so that it balances out.”

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