The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has issued an unreserved apology to the Minister-designate for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, and his wife over comments made during a press conference on the vetting process.

At a press briefing on Friday, 31 January, the Minority caucus accused the Majority side of secretly facilitating the vetting of Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and Kwabena Mintah Akandoh without their knowledge.

Nuhela Seidu, wife of Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa

Afenyo-Markin had asserted that Ablakwa was not originally scheduled for vetting on Thursday but had "smuggled himself in" with the assistance of his Majority colleagues. He also claimed that Ablakwa’s wife had been similarly brought into the vetting room—an allegation that Ablakwa later revealed had deeply upset his wife.

However, during Ablakwa’s vetting session, Afenyo-Markin took the opportunity to extend a personal apology for any unintended offence, particularly to Ablakwa’s wife.

“Let me unconditionally apologise to your wife for how my press statement came about and how she felt. I would feel bad if somebody said something about my own wife. It is fair because it is not an official matter.

“I am sorry to your wife, dear, and for how my press conference was carried. I also say sorry to you. I have the utmost respect for you, and I will be the last person to run you down. So, I am sorry, and I am sorry to your wife,” he stated.

The apology comes amid heightened political tensions, with both sides of Parliament engaging in heated exchanges over the vetting process.