The Minority caucus in Parliament has demanded that the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, appears before the House to explain the government’s decision to donate relief supplies valued at GH¢10 million to Jamaica and Cuba.

The assistance, which follows a recent hurricane, is said to include food items and household essentials such as rice, mattresses, gari mix, cocoa-based products, water storage tanks, and other necessities. Part of the humanitarian support has also reportedly been extended to Sudan, which is currently affected by conflict.

Raising the issue in Parliament on Wednesday, December 17, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin questioned the basis for the donation, particularly at a time when Ghana’s National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) is facing shortages in responding to local emergencies.

He noted that Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee was not briefed on the initiative and expressed concern over the lack of transparency surrounding how the items were sourced and funded. He further pointed to recent flooding incidents across the country, where affected citizens have struggled to receive assistance due to limited supplies.

According to him, the Minority believes the government owes Parliament a detailed explanation of its priorities and decision-making process regarding the relief package.

In a related development, Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh also called on the Foreign Affairs Minister to address the House on Ghana’s military deployment to Benin following an attempted coup. He stressed the need for clarity on the number of personnel involved and the cost implications of the operation for the state.

The Minority maintains that full disclosure is necessary to ensure accountability and informed parliamentary oversight.