Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Foreign Affairs Minister nominee, has pledged not to disappoint the nation following his appointment.

“I won’t let you down,” he said.

Shortly after the presidency announced his nomination alongside other appointees, Mr Ablakwa expressed his gratitude on Facebook, thanking President John Dramani Mahama for considering him for the role.

“I am enormously thankful to His Excellency John Dramani Mahama for nominating me to serve as Ghana’s Foreign Minister,” he wrote.

The North Tongu Member of Parliament (MP) further stated, “My solemn pledge is to diligently assist President Mahama in championing Ghana’s best interests at all times, with unquestionable patriotism, innovation, and integrity.”

He also extended his appreciation to his constituents, family, and all Ghanaians for their unwavering support over the years.

Ablakwa has been an outspoken figure within the National Democratic Congress (NDC) since entering full-time politics.

Known for his leadership roles both in opposition and during the NDC’s time in power under the late President Atta Mills and President Mahama, he also chairs the government’s Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) and has been a vocal advocate in the fight against corruption.

He is expected to officially assume his duties once vetted and approved by Parliament.

Early life and education

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa was born on 11 August 1980 and hails from Aveyime-Battor in the Volta Region of Ghana.

He is an old student of the Presbyterian Boys’ Senior Secondary School – Legon (Presec-Legon) and also served as Vice President of the scripture union.

He attended the University of Ghana, and had a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Philosophy between 2002 and 2006. At the University of Leicester, he had his Master of Arts in Communication Media, and Public Relations.

Ablakwa also holds a certificate in Leadership from the Harvard Kennedy School of Governance, USA and a Master of Science in Defense and International Politics from the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College.

Political career

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa is a Member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). He served as President of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) from 2005 to 2006, whilst he was a student in the University of Ghana.

He was also a member of the team that drafted his party’s youth policies in the NDC’s manifesto for the 2008 campaign. He was a member of the Committee for Joint Action (CJA) a pro-masses pressure group. He is an Accredited Member (APR)of the Institute of Public Relations (IPR), Ghana.

Deputy Minister of State

In his foray in national politics, he was a member of the then – candidate John Evans Atta Mills Campaign Communication Team until his appointment as Deputy Minister for Information at the age of 28, under the presidency of the late John Atta Mills.

He served on the Government’s Transition Team as Acting Secretary. Ablakwa served as Deputy Minister for Education in charge of Tertiary Education under then Minister of Education Prof. Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang under the erstwhile John Dramani Mahama Government.

Deputy Minister of Information, 2009-2013.

Deputy Minister of Education, 2013-2016.

Member of Parliament, 2012 – till date.