Minority Demands Answers Over GH¢10m Relief Donation to Jamaica and Cuba
Minority summons Foreign Affairs Minister to justify relief donation amid domestic shortages.
- Parliament’s Minority demands answers from the Foreign Affairs Minister over GH¢10 million relief aid sent to Jamaica and Cuba
- Concerns raised over domestic shortages, as NADMO struggles to provide relief to Ghanaians affected by recent disasters
- Minority also seeks details on Ghanaian troop deployment to Benin, including the number of troops and financial implications
The Minority in Parliament has summoned the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, to appear before the House and explain the government’s decision to donate relief items valued at GH¢10 million to Jamaica and Cuba.
The relief consignment, meant to support victims of a recent hurricane, reportedly includes bags of rice, mattresses, gari mix, cocoa products, water storage tanks, and other essential items. Part of the humanitarian support is also said to have been extended to conflict-affected Sudan.
Raising the issue on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday, December 17, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin questioned the rationale behind the donation, particularly at a time when Ghana’s National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) is grappling with shortages in relief supplies for affected citizens.
According to him, the Foreign Affairs Committee was not briefed on the initiative, leaving lawmakers in the dark about how the items were sourced and funded.
He noted that despite recent disasters such as flooding across parts of the country, affected Ghanaians continue to struggle for assistance, with NADMO citing inadequate stock levels.
Meanwhile, Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh also called on the Foreign Affairs Minister to brief Parliament on the deployment of Ghanaian troops to Benin following an attempted military takeover.
He stressed the need for transparency regarding the number of troops deployed and the financial cost of the operation to the state.
