'State abandoned, personal profit prioritised under Akufo-Addo's watch' - ADC demands probe into diplomatic waste

The Africa Development Council (ADC) has criticized the Akufo-Addo regime. They describe its leadership as reckless and self-serving. This criticism focuses on Ghana’s foreign affairs and diplomatic management.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Council accused the former administration of neglecting state-owned residencies. They claimed it led to unnecessary hotel bills paid by taxpayers.

“Residencies of Regional Coordinating Councils were left to rot,” the statement said. “Personal hotels were used instead, with the State footing the bills.”

The ADC noted that this mismanagement also affected foreign missions. Ambassadorial residencies reportedly decayed while diplomats stayed in hotels.

“Most foreign residencies for ambassadors were left unattended,” they stated. The Council cited a recent case involving the Russian Federation.

The ADC is urging Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) to investigate these expenses. They want all public funds spent on avoidable hotel stays recovered.

“The ADC has strongly advised ORAL to retrieve unnecessary sums billed to the State,” their statement read.

Additionally, the Council demanded urgent reforms in diplomacy under the current regime. They called for a complete recall or reshuffle of all Ghanaian diplomatic staff abroad.

“The current regime must urgently recall or reshuffle all diplomatic staff globally,” they urged.

The ADC highlighted missed opportunities for embassy development in certain countries, including Russia. Ghana had been gifted plots of land for this purpose but ignored them.

“In some cases, Ghana was given plots of land…yet those plots remain unutilized,” they lamented.

The Council warned that these leadership failures indicate deeper governance issues.

“It is time for leaders to think beyond their generation,” they concluded.