Ablakwa’s ‘Student Desks’ Move Exposes His Ignorance – Ampratwum Fires Back
Former Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong slams Okudzeto Ablakwa’s decision to establish Student Desks at Ghana’s foreign missions, calling it unnecessary and politically motivated.
The Immediate Past Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Member of Parliament for Mampong, Hon. Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, has strongly criticized the decision by Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa to establish Student Desks at Ghana’s diplomatic missions abroad.
He described the decision as a “demonstration of ignorance of his core mandate.”
According to Ampratwum-Sarpong, the move suggests that Minister Ablakwa is eager to make a mark but is doing so recklessly.
In a Facebook post, Ablakwa announced the establishment of a special department within Ghana’s foreign missions to prioritize the needs of Ghanaian students.
He stated that Student Desks have been set up in 11 key locations, including Abidjan, Beijing, Belgrade, Cotonou, Havana, Lomé, London, Moscow, Rabat, Rome, and Ottawa.
However, in response, Ampratwum-Sarpong argued that some Ghanaian missions abroad already have designated officers from the Scholarship Secretariat who handle student-related concerns. He questioned the necessity of creating a new structure when existing mechanisms are in place.
“To set the records straight, it is an established fact that some of Ghana’s missions abroad have designated officers posted from the Scholarship Secretariat who handle issues regarding the payment of fees and welfare of Ghanaian students, especially those on government scholarships,” Ampratwum-Sarpong asserted in a statement copied to Lawson News.
He further suggested that Minister Ablakwa may have been informed by ministry technocrats about the existing system but chose to ignore their advice in pursuit of political mileage.
Despite his criticisms, Ampratwum-Sarpong acknowledged that the most pressing challenge facing Ghanaian students abroad—particularly those on government scholarships—is the persistent delay in the payment of their fees and stipends. He recommended that rather than duplicating efforts, the government should focus on ensuring that scholarship funds are disbursed on time to prevent undue hardships on students.
