A political storm is brewing in Ghana’s Parliament following what the Minority has slammed as a ‘populist and tactless’ decision by the Minister for Foreign Affairs to temporarily shut down the country’s embassy in Washington DC.
Addressing a press conference in Parliament on Tuesday, May 27, the Ranking Member on the Foreign Affairs Committee, Hon. Samuel Abu Jinapor, launched a blistering attack on the Ministry, warning that the abrupt closure has dealt a serious blow to Ghana’s international image and diplomatic standing.
“This move is not only damaging, but it reeks of poor judgment. Diplomacy thrives on quiet negotiations and strategic engagement—not knee-jerk reactions and media spectacles,” the Damongo MP declared.
The former Lands and Natural Resources Minister expressed deep frustration over what he described as a breakdown in communication between the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Ministry.
According to him, not even the Committee Chairman or members of the Majority were properly briefed before such a critical decision was taken.
Hon. Jinapor warned that the fallout from the closure would reverberate beyond the embassy walls.
“This has far-reaching implications on the mission staff, our Foreign Service, and the image of Ghana in the eyes of the international community,” he said.
While acknowledging that any official involved in fraudulent activity must be held accountable, Jinapor sharply criticized the blanket approach used by the Ministry, arguing it unfairly taints all embassy personnel.
“The Minority supports firm action against wrongdoing. But painting everyone with the same brush and announcing it with such grandstanding undermines confidence in our missions abroad,” he noted.
The Minority has vowed to demand answers from the Foreign Minister, promising to file an urgent question in Parliament.
They are also calling for greater consultation between the Ministry and the Foreign Affairs Committee, insisting that future actions must be guided by discretion, diplomacy, and national interest—not populist fervour.
“We must return to mature diplomacy. Ghana’s reputation is too valuable to be gambled away in a bid for political points,” Jinapor urged.
