The Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, Samuel Awuku, has welcomed what he describes as the correction of an “egregious error” in the initial arrangements for a high-level meeting convened by President John Dramani Mahama to address drug trafficking and Ghana’s border security.
Mr Awuku said the administration had made the necessary adjustments to ensure that Sector Ministers with direct responsibility for the institutions involved are included in the meeting, following concerns he had publicly raised about their initial exclusion.
His latest comments come after he questioned the decision to invite heads of security, intelligence, maritime, aviation and port-sector agencies to the high-level meeting without the ministers responsible for some of those institutions.
In a statement shared on Facebook, the Akuapem North MP said he is pleased that his advocacy had contributed to the changes made to the meeting arrangements.
“It is refreshing to note that the Administration has made the necessary adjustments and corrected the egregious error in the earlier invitation extended to Agency Heads without the Sector Ministers not being invited to such a High Level Meeting,” Mr Awuku said.
He added: “I am glad that this advocacy has yielded results.”
Mr Awuku stressed that his earlier intervention was not intended as a personal attack on President Mahama or his administration.
According to him, the role of the Minority in Parliament is to scrutinise the actions of government, raise concerns where necessary and ensure that officials with direct responsibility for particular sectors are appropriately positioned to account for their stewardship.
“This was never a personal attack on the Mahama Administration,” he said.
“The Minority’s role is to scrutinise, raise concerns and ensure that those with direct responsibility are properly positioned to account to Parliament when necessary,” he added.
His comments underscore the importance he places on ministerial accountability, particularly in matters involving national security and public policy.
The Akuapem North MP further argued that the fight against drug trafficking should not be treated as a partisan political issue, given its implications for Ghana’s security, international reputation and broader national interest.
He said the protection of Ghana’s reputation and the efforts to combat the trafficking of narcotic drugs must be approached as national priorities that require cooperation across political lines.
“The fight against drug trafficking and the protection of Ghana’s reputation are matters that must transcend partisan politics,” Mr Awuku stated.
He maintained that the opposition would continue to raise concerns whenever it believes government action requires scrutiny or correction.
However, he also emphasised that accountability should not mean criticising government for its own sake.
Mr Awuku said the Minority would equally acknowledge positive action taken by the government when concerns raised are addressed.
“We will continue to speak up when we believe something needs to be addressed and equally, when the necessary action is taken, we must acknowledge it,” he said.
He described this approach as “constructive accountability”, arguing that it ultimately serves the interests of Ghana.
“That is constructive accountability and ultimately, it is in Ghana’s interest,” he concluded.
The development follows the controversy over the composition of the high-level meeting on narcotics trafficking, which is expected to bring together key institutions responsible for Ghana’s border security, intelligence, maritime, aviation and port operations.
The meeting is intended to review existing measures to prevent the trafficking of narcotic drugs and other illicit substances into and through Ghana and strengthen coordination among the relevant state institutions.
By 1960news.com
