Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has publicly dismissed claims made by former Deputy Foreign Minister, Charles Owiredu, suggesting that Ghanaian visas were processed within 2 to 5 days under the previous Akufo-Addo administration. 

The rebuttal follows Mr Ablakwa’s recent announcement that visa applications will now be processed within a 2–5 day window, a significant improvement he attributes to reforms under the current government.

Mr Owiredu, however, countered that the 2–5 day time-frame had long been standard practice during the tenure of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). 

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) earlier today, Mr Ablakwa responded sharply, stating, “Honourable former Deputy Minister, you know you are absolutely wrong on this.” He added that official embassy websites from the NPP era contradict Mr Owiredu’s claim.

To substantiate his point, Mr Ablakwa cited data from several Ghanaian missions abroad. 

“Our embassy websites across the world do not confirm your grossly incorrect claim of 2–5 days for standard visa applications when your party was in power,” he said. 

He pointed to the Ghana Embassy in Washington, D.C., which indicated processing times of 15 to 20 business days, while New York required three weeks, Germany’s embassy stated 15 business days, and the UK High Commission listed 15 working days. 

“These are just a few websites exposing your misleading presentation,” the Minister asserted.

The sharp exchange highlights the ongoing political contention over service delivery records, particularly within Ghana’s foreign missions. 

Mr Ablakwa’s reforms, which aim to expedite visa processing and improve the efficiency of consular services, are being positioned as a hallmark of the new administration’s commitment to better service. 

Meanwhile, the Ministry appears intent on backing its initiatives with data, challenging opposition figures to engage with facts rather than nostalgia.