I’ve not and will never take bribe in my life – Okudzeto Ablakwa

A Deputy Minister of Education, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who has been accused of amassing wealth for himself within a short period in government, says he has not taken bribe before and vowed never to take one in his lifetime.

Responding to allegations against him on Accra-based Onua FM Tuesday, he said:

“it is sad the way people can say things against others without considering the person they are scandalizing, or even their family.

“I was accused of owning a filing station, took bribe to include particular Polytechnics to be converted into Technical Universities etc, and all these claims are baseless. I never took bribe and I won’t take bribe, never in my life,” he told Bright Asempa, host of Yen Sempa.

Although Mr Ablakwa at his vetting by the Appointments Committee of Parliament denied the allegation, some Ghanaians still hold the view he has through corrupt means, amassed wealth for himself while in government.

But speaking on Onua FM’s morning show on Tuesday, Mr Ablakwa dared those claiming that he is corrupt to make available evidence to that effect, noting that he was raised up with Christian values, which he said he cannot depart from. “This is not how we build a nation, somebody wake up and go on radio or by virtue of social media, write false stories against people just to tarnish their image,” the North Tongu Member of Parliament stated.

Mr Ablakwa is seeking re-election on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress for a second term in parliament.

Social media ban

Commenting on the issue of renewed proposals by the Inspector General of Police to ban social media on December 7, Mr Ablakwa said although he is against such idea, measures must be taken to regulate its effective use.

“I am against the ban but we must put measures in place to check its misuse. There must be responsible use of that media, it can be dangerous if left unchecked. There must be right mechanism put in place to check irresponsible use”