Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Ghana's Minister for Foreign Affairs, has vehemently defended the government's decision to deploy troops to Jamaica for post-hurricane reconstruction efforts. His remarks came after the Minority in Parliament criticized the deployment, suggesting that it violated Ghanaian law.
Speaking on TV3's *New Day* program on Thursday, December 18, 2025, Ablakwa emphasized that the decision was in full compliance with Ghana's laws and constitutional provisions. "There is no law of Ghana which has been breached, no constitutional provision has been violated, and we are well within our traditions, conventions, and laws," he stated.
The Minority had raised concerns the previous day, arguing that the government should have sought parliamentary approval before sending troops abroad. They claimed that the deployment violated national legal requirements.
Ablakwa, however, dismissed these criticisms, describing them as "so un-Ghanaian." He remarked, "To say that it is not right, it is so un-Ghanaian. When you are in the Minority, it doesn’t mean you should criticize everything. They are criticizing for the sake of criticizing."
The Minister clarified that the troops were not being sent for combat operations but were engaged in a humanitarian mission. "We asked them to show us any provision in the constitution, and they couldn’t. We are not deploying troops for combat. These are troops on a humanitarian mission," he added.
Furthermore, Ablakwa expressed disappointment that the Minority was questioning Ghana’s humanitarian efforts. "They seek to question Ghana’s compassion, Ghana’s love, Ghana’s kindness in times of humanitarian crisis," he said. "I am very proud that we have a foreign policy that allows us to reach out, even when the world is not looking."
Regarding the funding for the mission, the Foreign Affairs Minister assured the public that no taxpayer funds were being used for the operation. "What is great about what we are doing so far is that we mobilize these resources from donors. So, we are not paying for it," he clarified.
Ghana’s deployment of troops to Jamaica follows one of the most destructive hurricanes to hit the Caribbean nation, with the Ghanaian contingent now assisting in reconstruction efforts.
This initiative underscores Ghana’s proactive foreign policy and its commitment to providing aid in times of global humanitarian need.
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