Ablakwa cancels $3.5million contract for renovation of Abidjan embassy

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has disclosed that he has canceled a $3.5million contract for the renovation of Ghana’s embassy in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.

According to him, the cancellation of what he described as a 'single-source midnight contract' and awarded in November 2024 has saved the country and taxpayers’ money in the amount of $3.5million.

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The minister made this known in an X post on Monday, September 8, 2025.

“… I have rather protected taxpayers money by canceling a US$3.5million single source midnight contract to renovate our embassy in Abidjan which was awarded on 7th November, 2024,” he said.

Ablakwa, further went on to deny claims that he had awarded a $5.2 million contract for the renovation of Ghana’s embassy in Benin.

He categorically stated that he has not awarded any contract since assuming office as the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

“Treat with utter contempt the false claims that I have awarded a renovation contract for our embassy in Benin at a cost of US$5.2million.

“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.

Ablakwa, who is also the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, assured Ghanaians of his commitment to protecting the state coffers.

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“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 added.

Read his full post below;

Treat with utter contempt the false claims that I have awarded a renovation contract for our embassy in Benin at a cost of US$5.2million.

For the record, I have not awarded any embassy renovation contract anywhere in the world.

Let me be clear — not a single embassy…

— Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa (@S_OkudzetoAblak) September 8, 2025

MAG/VPO

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