By Ishmael Junourgh 
The ongoing attacks against Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, raise an important question about fairness, accountability and the standards by which public officials should be judged.
First, we must distinguish between allegations, questions requiring clarification and established wrongdoing. These are three different things. Nobody should be condemned on the strength of allegations that have not been substantiated.
Regarding the evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa, the humanitarian responsibility of government cannot be overlooked. At a time when fellow citizens faced xenophobic attacks, intimidation and uncertainty, the state had a responsibility to protect their lives, dignity and welfare.
That humanitarian responsibility, however, must go hand in hand with proper financial accountability. The public deserves transparent records, credible explanations and an independent examination of any discrepancies identified.
Significantly, the Minister has called for an independent audit of evacuation exercises dating back to 2017. That proposal should be pursued objectively, without political interference or predetermined conclusions.
On the passport controversy, allegations of administrative irregularities must be investigated. Where wrongdoing is established, appropriate sanctions must follow. But responsibility must be determined by evidence, not political association or the desire to manufacture public outrage.
We must be careful not to turn every administrative controversy into an automatic verdict against a minister.
Ghana needs accountability, but accountability must be guided by evidence, fairness and due process.
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa deserves the same presumption of fairness that every Ghanaian citizen is entitled to. Equally, the Ghanaian people deserve answers to every legitimate question raised.
Let the investigations establish the facts. Let the evidence determine responsibility. And let the national interest prevail over partisan considerations.
Ghana is bigger than any political party, and the truth must never be sacrificed on the altar of political expediency.
Kotia NURIDEEN ABUBAKAR BITIS Esq. HajjBitis
@Law
Zakaria Rafique Seinu