A dispute has erupted over the commissioning of Ghana’s new Chancery in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, after Foreign Affairs Minister Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa attributed the project to the current administration.
In a statement, the Ranking Member on the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Abu Jinapo, clarified that the project was initiated by the previous government, led by President Akufo-Addo, who cut the sod for the construction on February 10, 2020.
“The suggestion that the project has a ten-year history from 2016 is misleading and inaccurate,” the statement said, adding that construction began immediately after the ceremony and was 90% complete by October 2024.
He attributed delays in the final payment to the 2024 General Elections and noted that the current administration completed only 10% of the project.
“This is a national project commenced by the previous government and completed by the current government,” the Damongo legislator said, urging the Minister to acknowledge the facts.
Samuel Abu Jinapo, Ranking Member, Parliamentary Select Committee on Foreign Affairs
The controversy highlights tensions between the government and opposition over credit for national projects.
Below is the full statement.
SETTING THE RECORDS STRAIGHT ON GHANA’S ADDIS ABABA CHANCERY
The commissioning of Ghana’s new Chancery in Addis Ababa is undoubtedly a moment of national significance. However, comments by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, at the commissioning ceremony and its aftermath, which attributes the Project to the current administration is erroneous and an egregious misrepresentation of facts.
As Ranking Member on the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, and one who was present at the formal commencement of this Project in 2020, I deem it necessary to set the records straight.
1. Construction of the Addis Ababa Chancery commenced with a sod cutting ceremony by President Akufo-Addo on 10 February 2020 on the sidelines of the AU Summit. The ceremony was witnessed by the then President of Ethiopia, H.E. Sahle-Work Zewde, and other senior government officials from both Ethiopia and Ghana. I was present at this ceremony.
2. Indeed, at the ceremony, President Akufo-Addo lamented that Ghana did not have its own chancery building in Addis Ababa, considering the close relations between the two countries and our former leaders, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and Emperor Haile Selassie.
3. The suggestion that the Project has a ten-year history from 2016 is, therefore, misleading and inaccurate. Construction of the Project commenced in February 2020 immediately after the sod-cutting ceremony, and by October 2024, was about 90% complete.
4. There was, however, a delay in the final payment of the contract sum due to the 2024 General Elections. It is, therefore, also, inaccurate that the Project had delayed for two years. If there was any delay in continuing the Project, then it is attributable to this Government, the Project having been left at 90% complete in October 2024.
5. This is a national Project commenced by the previous Government and completed by the current Government. It is neither partisan nor improper to acknowledge continuity in governance. Indeed, it reflects maturity in democratic practice. It is, however, disingenuous to discount the work of the Akufo-Addo Government and characterize the Project as a Mahama Project, when the current administration only completed 10% of the Project.
6. The Hon. Minister for Foreign Affairs, as the chief Diplomat of our country, should have no difficulty availing himself of these unimpeachable facts or acknowledging theEn
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