Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has assured citizens that the government will not compromise national security in its recent memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the United States on deportations.
Speaking at today’s Government Accountability Series, the Minister emphasized that stringent measures have been built into the arrangement to protect the country from potential risks.
“We have put in place strict safeguards to ensure that convicted hardened criminals cannot be brought into our country under this understanding.
“The Mahama administration will never compromise the security and well-being of Ghanaians,” Mr. Ablakwa declared.
He also addressed concerns about whether the agreement requires parliamentary approval. According to him, the current stage of the MoU does not trigger Article 75 of the 1992 Constitution, which mandates parliamentary ratification of international agreements.
“I have inherited hundreds of MoUs from the previous administration which were not sent to Parliament for ratification,” Ablakwa noted, explaining that not all memoranda immediately require legislative approval.
However, he assured the public that due constitutional processes would be followed if the arrangement evolves into a binding agreement.
“May I assure the nation that if this initial understanding is elevated into a full-blown agreement, we shall not hesitate to comply with Article 75 of the 1992 Constitution by proceeding to Parliament for ratification,” he affirmed.
