Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry, Carlos Ahenkorah, has apologized for his outburst in the wake of allegations that his Ministry charged expatriates between $25,000 and $100,000 to enable them to sit close to the President at the Ghana Expatriate Business Awards.
Mr. Ahenkorah clashed with the Minority Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa in Parliament, after he felt the MP was besmirching the Akufo-Addo government with corruption allegations.
[contextly_sidebar id=”z7B1kp7O5NPcYJPVZf2GEUbvlfEvR2Yf”]Mr. Ablakwa had previously called on the Trade Ministry to apologize to President Nana Akufo-Addo for tainting the presidency with the alleged dubious dealings.
But Mr. Ahenkorah described Mr. Ablakwa as a “big liar” and accused him of making baseless allegations.
Speaking on Accra-based Peace FM, Mr. Ahenkorah maintained that he did not take the accusations against the President lightly, but he still admitted that his reactions were not justified.
“Ghanaians should forgive me and forgive my failings. When the matter came up and I had issues with it [the Minority’s approach], I should have taken my time and watched my temper.”
Mr. Ablakwa said the Deputy Minister was so furious that his actions bordered on assault.
The deputy Minister initially showed no remorse when he was interviewed on Eyewitness News, claiming that Mr. Ablakwa was out of order when he suggested that he and the NPP government were corrupt.
He however also apologized directly to Mr. Ablakwa, and indicated his willingness move past the conflict.
“My brother, Okudzeto Ablakwa, although younger than me, is still my senior in Parliament. That exchange we had in Parliament should not have happened because we are two gentlemen… None of us acquitted ourselves well, but if he won’t apologize I will so that there will peace and we can move past this.”
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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana