Sammi Awuku challenges NDC MP over deportees deal, insists Parliament must ratify US–Ghana arrangement
New Patriotic Party (NPP) stalwart Sammi Awuku has clashed with Member of Parliament for for Twifo Atti Morkwa, David Vondee over the government’s handling of the US–Ghana deportee agreement, insisting that such a deal should have been brought before Parliament for proper deliberation and ratification.
Sammi Awuku expressed his surprise that the government entered into an agreement with the United States to house deportees in Ghana before onward transfer to their respective countries without first seeking parliamentary approval.
“I don’t understand why this issue did not pass through Parliament for deliberation,” Sammi Awuku said during a panel discussion on Peace FM’s Kokrokoo show as monitored by MyNewsGh.
“This is a binding agreement between Ghana and another country, and it carries obligations. It should have been brought before Parliament.”
Host Kwami Sefa Kayi quickly interjected, pointing out that both Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and Attorney General Dominic Ayine have publicly stated that it was not necessary to seek parliamentary approval before engaging in such bilateral arrangements.
But Sammi Awuku strongly disagreed. “With all due respect, the positions of Ablakwa and Ayine are not right,” he said firmly.
“The Supreme Court has already ruled on this matter. If an agreement imposes an obligation on the state, it must be ratified by Parliament. That’s the law.”
He further stressed that once the treaty binds the Republic of Ghana and its citizens, the legally appropriate step is to submit it to Parliament for debate and approval before committing to it.
“You cannot just wake up and agree on something like this with another country,” Awuku argued.
“This is a matter of national interest. Parliament must be involved to ensure transparency and accountability.”
MP David Vondee, who was also on the panel, maintained that the arrangement was more administrative than treaty-based, but Awuku insisted that any agreement with legal or financial implications for the country requires legislative oversight.
