The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has refuted claims suggesting that he awarded a US$5.2 million renovation contract for Ghana’s embassy in Benin.

In a statement released on his official Facebook page, Mr. Ablakwa urged the public to treat such allegations with “utter contempt,” stressing that no such contract had been awarded under his tenure.

“For the record, I have not awarded any embassy renovation contract anywhere in the world. Let me be clear — not a single embassy renovation or construction contract has been awarded by me since I became Foreign Minister,” he stated.

Mr. Ablakwa explained that, contrary to the claims, he has instead taken measures to protect public funds by cancelling questionable contracts he inherited.

“On the contrary, I have rather protected taxpayers by cancelling a $3.5 million single-source midnight contract to renovate our embassy in Abidjan, which was awarded on November 7, 2024,” he revealed.

The Foreign Minister assured Ghanaians that he remains committed to safeguarding public resources while working with integrity to deliver on President John Dramani Mahama’s “Reset Agenda.”

“I shall never betray the trust of the Ghanaian people as we work tirelessly, and with integrity, to achieve President Mahama’s Reset Agenda,” he affirmed.