The Member of Parliament for Bosome-Freho, Nana Asafo Adjei-Ayeh, has recounted how he was prevented from joining the parliamentary delegation to the 80th UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, despite his nominated by the Minority.
In an interview on Wontumi TV, monitored by GhanaWeb on Friday, September 26, 2025, he alleged that he was dropped by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa because of his outspoken criticisms of him.
He stated that the Ranking Member of Parliament‘s Select Committee on Foreign Affairs, Samuel Abu Jinapor, asked him to represent him since he had other engagements.
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“Per the arrangement, the Ranking Member of Parliament‘s Select Committee on Foreign Affairs, Samuel Abu Jinapor, was supposed to join the parliamentary delegation to the UN General Assembly in New York and that has always been the norm,” he said.
“On September 18, my ticket was ready, my per diem was also ready and I was actually ready for the trip. I had already informed my relatives and constituents that I was travelling,” he explained.
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However, upon arriving at the airport in the company of the Member of Parliament for Ablekuma South, Alfred Oko Vanderpuiye and the Clerk of Parliament, he was told that his ticket had been withdrawn.
“The clerk checked in successfully. When it got to my turn, the process delayed. Then Hon Vanderpuije was directed to another counter and was cleared. Later, the lady at the desk told me, ‘Honourable, your ticket has been withdrawn’.
“The clerk showed us a text message from the minister instructing that only the clerk and Vanderpuije should be taken care of. As for me, I could not. So, I returned the documents and left quietly,” he recounted.
Asafo-Adjei said he was not surprised at the turn of events.
“Even in committee meetings, there have been heated confrontations. On one occasion, he questioned why I had addressed a press conference after asking questions in Parliament. Clearly, my criticisms of his leadership style are the reason behind this latest action,” he stated.
Each September, world leaders convene at UN Headquarters in New York City for the UN General Assembly.
For decades, it has remained an essential forum to address the world’s most pressing challenges.
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