Okudjeto Ablakwa, a Ghanaian politician and member of Parliament, has earned a reputation as Ghana's most celebrated whistleblower. His fearless exposés have shaken the foundations of corruption, bringing accountability and transparency to the forefront of Ghanaian politics.
*Early Life and Education*
Born on March 31, 1980, in Keta, Ghana, Okudjeto Ablakwa hails from a family of politicians. His father, Anthony Ablakwa, was a prominent figure in Ghana's political landscape.
Ablakwa's educational background includes: Bachelor's degree in Law (LL.B) from the University of Ghana and Mater's degree in International Relations from the University of Sheffield.
*Entry into Politics*
Ablakwa's entry into politics was marked by his appointment as Deputy Minister of Information under President John Atta Mills in 2009. He later became Deputy Minister of Education in 2013.
*Whistleblowing Career*
Ablakwa's whistleblowing journey began in 2013 when he exposed the:
1. *Ghana Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial Development (GYEEDA) scandal*: Ablakwa revealed widespread corruption and mismanagement, leading to the program's eventual scrapping.
2. *Subah Info Solutions scandal*: He exposed a dubious contract between the Ghana Revenue Authority and Subah Info Solutions, saving Ghana millions of cedis.
3. *$2.25 million Ghana Gas Company scandal*: Ablakwa's revelations led to investigations into alleged corruption and financial malfeasance.
*Recent Exposés*
Ablakwa's recent whistleblowing efforts include:
1. *Frontiers Healthcare Services scandal*: He exposed alleged corruption and breaches of COVID-19 testing protocols at Ghana's Kotoka International Airport.
2. *National Cathedral scandal*: Ablakwa raised concerns over the project's funding and potential conflicts of interest.
3. Okudzeto Ablakwa's latest exposé reveals a shocking scandal involving 22,000 bags of expired rice distributed to Senior High Schools across Ghana. According to Ablakwa, the National Food Buffer Stock Company and Lamens Investments Africa Limited conspired to repackage expired rice from India, branded as "Moshosho rice", which expired in December 2023 ¹.
*The Scheme:*
The expired rice was repackaged into locally made sacks with the inscription "ECOWAS" and "Made in Ghana rice", but without an expiry date. This was done at the Buffer Stock storage facility in Kumasi, Ashanti Region.
*Investigation and Controversy:*
The Ashanti Regional Police Command and the Food and Drugs Authority intercepted the rice for investigation but later released it for distribution to schools. Ablakwa claims that an instruction from above forced the release of the contaminated rice despite pending test results from the FDA in Accra.
*Consequences:*
The rice was found to be highly contaminated, with insects and high acidity levels, posing serious health risks to students. Medical experts have deemed the rice unfit for consumption and advocated for its destruction.
*Calls for Action:*
Ablakwa demands a full investigation and prosecution of those involved. He also revealed that the company responsible agreed to pay a fine of GH₵100,000 but has only paid half and cannot be located for the remaining payment.
*Impact and Recognition*
Ablakwa's whistleblowing has:
1. Saved Ghana millions of cedis
2. Led to investigations and prosecutions
3. Fostered transparency and accountability
4. Inspired a new generation of whistleblowers
He has received numerous awards and recognition, including:
1. *2015 Ghana's Best Young Politician* (Ghana Journalists Association).
3. *2020 Whistleblower of the Year* (Africa Freedom of Information Centre)
*Challenges and Risks*
Ablakwa has faced:
1. Death threats
2. Harassment
3. Intimidation
4. Lawsuits
Despite these challenges, he remains resolute in his commitment to fighting corruption.
*Conclusion*
Okudjeto Ablakwa's courageous whistleblowing has cemented his status as Ghana's most celebrated whistleblower. His dedication to transparency and accountability serves as a beacon of hope for a corruption-free Ghana. As he continues to expose wrongdoing, Ablakwa inspires others to follow in his footsteps, fostering a culture of integrity and good governance.
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