Political commentator and founding President of IMANI Center for Policy and Education Think Tank, Franklin Cudjoe has reacted to the just ended vetting of Samuel Okudzto Ablakwa as the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Taking to his Facebook page, Franklin Cudjoe praised Alexander Kwabena Afenyo-Markin for his leadership. At the same time, questioning Samuel Okudzto Ablakwa’s refusal to publicly declare his assets despite his strong stance against corruption and state capture.
In a Facebook post, Franklin Cudjoe wrote, “Hon.Alexander shows leadership again. Secondly it is interesting that the chairman of ORAL wouldn’t discuss his properties openly but discuss others in the open?”
His remarks follow an exchange during the vetting process, where Afenyo-Markin asked Okudzto Ablakwa to publicly list all his properties. The Minority Leader argued that since Okudzto Ablakwa has been vocal about exposing alleged state capture and the acquisition of questionable assets by public officials, he should also be transparent about his own assets.
However, Okudzto Ablakwa refused to mention his assets, directing Afenyo-Markin to contact the Auditor-General for his official asset declaration records. His response has sparked debates over whether public officials should apply the same level of scrutiny to themselves as they do to others.
Hon. Samuel Okudzto Ablakwa has been the forefront of corruption exposés, particularly through his role as Chairman of the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL). His refusal to publicly declare his own assets has led critics, including Franklin Cudjoe, to question whether he holds himself to the same standards he demands from others.
The development has reignited conversations about accountability, assets transparency, and the consistency of public officials in upholding the principles they advocate.
From Opera News.
