Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, is facing mounting criticism following the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ failure to respond to a Right to Information (RTI) request filed by the Member of Parliament for Ofoase-Ayirebi, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, seeking details on the salaries, allowances, and benefits of Ghanaian diplomats serving abroad.
The issue comes at a time of growing public scrutiny over the conditions of service and remuneration packages enjoyed by diplomatic appointees stationed at Ghana’s foreign missions, with increasing calls for transparency regarding the cost of maintaining ambassadors, high commissioners, and senior diplomatic staff overseas.
Critics argue that the Ministry’s continued delay in releasing the requested information raises serious concerns about transparency and accountability, particularly given Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa’s longstanding reputation in opposition politics as a strong advocate for openness in governance and public expenditure disclosures.
Before assuming office as Foreign Affairs Minister, the North Tongu MP frequently demanded accountability from the Akufo-Addo administration over government spending, appointee benefits, and the use of state resources. However, political opponents now accuse him of failing to uphold the same transparency standards he once championed.
Documents available indicate that on January 2, 2026, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah formally submitted a request under the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989), seeking comprehensive information on the emoluments 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.
The Ofoase-Ayirebi legislator also requested information on the criteria used by the Ministry in determining such benefits, including diplomatic rank, years of service, and posting location. On January 6, 2026, the Ministry acknowledged receipt of the request and subsequently asked the applicant to provide a copy of his national identification card in accordance with Section 18(6) of the RTI Act.
Correspondence attached to the documents further showed that Kojo Oppong Nkrumah complied with the directive and submitted the requested identification through email communication to the Ministry’s RTI office. Despite fulfilling all procedural requirements, the information requested was not released.
After waiting more than 56 working days without receiving any substantive response from the Ministry, the MP filed an internal review application on March 10, 2026, arguing that the Ministry had breached the timelines stipulated under the RTI law.
Under the Right to Information Act, public institutions are required to respond to requests within a specified statutory period unless the information falls under exemptions provided by law.
With the Ministry still failing to respond following the internal review application, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah escalated the matter to the Right to Information Commission on March 26, 2026.In his petition to the Commission, the MP requested a formal review of the case and urged the Commission to compel the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to release the requested information in accordance with Act 989.
The matter subsequently attracted the intervention of the RTI Commission, which on April 14, 2026, formally wrote to the Ministry regarding the complaint.
In its correspondence, the Commission reproduced the details of the information being sought and reminded the Ministry of its obligations under the RTI Act, while requesting explanations for the Ministry’s failure to provide the requested information.
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