Afenyo-Markin Apologizes to Ablakwa’s Wife Over Vetting Controversy
Afenyo-Markin Apologizes to Okudzeto Ablakwa’s Wife Over Vetting Remarks
The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has publicly apologized to Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Minister-designate for Foreign Affairs, and his wife, Nuhela Seidu, following remarks made during a press conference on the vetting process.
At a briefing on Friday, January 31, the Minority caucus accused the Majority of secretly facilitating the vetting of Ablakwa and Kwabena Mintah Akandoh without their knowledge.
During the press conference, Afenyo-Markin alleged that Ablakwa had not originally been scheduled for vetting on Thursday but had “smuggled himself in” with the help of Majority members. He further claimed that Ablakwa’s wife had also been brought into the vetting session—an assertion that Ablakwa later disclosed had caused distress to his wife.
Acknowledging the unintended impact of his remarks, Afenyo-Markin took the opportunity during Ablakwa’s vetting to issue a personal apology.
“I sincerely apologize to your wife for any distress my statement may have caused. If someone made such remarks about my wife, I would be deeply affected. It was not an official matter, and I regret how it was conveyed,” Afenyo-Markin stated.
He extended his apology not only to Ablakwa’s wife but also to Ablakwa himself, emphasizing that he holds the minister-designate in high regard and had no intention of undermining him.
The apology comes at a time of escalating political tensions, with both Majority and Minority members engaging in heated exchanges over the vetting process.
