Profile of Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Foreign Affairs Minister-designate

President John Dramani Mahama, on Tuesday, January 21, appointed Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa as Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Ablakwa is a four-term Ghanaian legislator representing the people of North Tongu in the Volta Region.

He has had an illustrious public service career spanning over two decades, with a reputation for being a strong advocate of ethical, transparent, and transformational leadership.

For nearly eight years, between 2017 and 2024, Ablakwa served as the Ranking Member of the Select Committee on Foreign Affairs.

He rose to become the first Chairman of the reformed Assurances Committee.

Ablakwa is currently the Chairman of President John Mahama’s flagship anti-corruption drive, Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL).

In 2009, he was appointed Deputy Minister for Information by the late President John Evans Atta Mills of blessed memory.

By that appointment, he made history as the youngest Deputy Minister in Ghana’s Fourth Republic.

President John Dramani Mahama also appointed him as Deputy Minister for Education in charge of Tertiary Education in 2013.

His academic credentials include a first degree in Political Science, Philosophy, and Economics from the University of Ghana, an LLB from the University of London, an MSc in Defense and International Politics from the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College, an MA in Communications and Public Relations from the University of Leicester, and an Executive Certificate in Leadership from the Harvard Kennedy School of Governance.

Before entering national politics, he was the Managing Director of Sawvi Solutions, and prior to that, the University of Ghana Branch Manager of Carrera Computers.

Ablakwa is the recipient of numerous awards, including an honorary doctorate degree from AMET University in India, being adjudged the Most Impactful Member of Parliament in 2024, a Medal of Honour from the Ghana Medical Association, a Special Award from the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association, a citation from the John Agyekum Kufuor Foundation, and being listed among the 2025 Most Influential 100 Africans.

He is a prolific author, former President of NUGS, member of Parliamentarians for Global Action, accredited member of the Institute for Public Relations (APR), member of the African Leadership Network, Fellow of the African Youth Governance Convergence, member of the American Council for Young Political Leaders, and Chairman of the Ghana-Cuba Parliamentary Friendship Association.

He is married to Lawyer Nuhela Seidu, a senior partner at Sory@Law.

They are blessed with two children.

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