Ghanaian Minority challenges Minister over Alima Mahama refund demand

The Minority caucus in Ghana's Parliament has challenged the legal authority of Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa to demand a refund from Hajia Alima Mahama, the former Ghanaian Ambassador to the United States.

The dispute follows a special audit by the Auditor-General into the operations of the Ghana Embassy in Washington, covering the period from January 2017 to June 2025. Following the audit, Minister Ablakwa requested that Mahama refund monies allegedly linked to financial irregularities found in the report.

Samuel A. Jinapor, the Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, argued that under Article 187 of the national Constitution, the power to disallow expenditure and impose surcharges rests solely with the Auditor-General. Jinapor expressed concern that the Minister’s direct demand bypasses established legal procedures, which would allow an affected individual 60 days to either pay or appeal the decision to the High Court.

Additionally, the Minority raised concerns regarding the scope of the demand, noting that the requested refund may include expenditures incurred outside of Mahama’s official tenure. Mahama has also indicated she was not provided an opportunity to respond to the audit findings.