Many cite a number of diplomatic, administrative, and people-focused initiatives as proof of Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa’s impressive performance at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which has made him one of Ghana’s most prominent and active ministers in 2025.
The four-term member of parliament has made increasing Ghana’s international mobility and diplomatic presence a top priority since taking office.
The successful negotiation of several visa waiver agreements intended to increase travel freedom for Ghanaian passport holders and strengthen bilateral ties has been a significant highlight.
His people-centred and development-orientated diplomacy, which has resulted in important accomplishments like the negotiation of ten visa waiver accords, improving travel freedom for Ghanaians, is credited with his outstanding performance.
The tenth visa waiver agreement Ghana has reached since the Mahama administration took office in January 2025 was most recently reached with Antigua & Barbuda.
Ghana’s international standing has also been enhanced by Ablakwa’s emphasis on cultural and diaspora interaction. He arranged the 2025 Diaspora Summit and gave diplomatic passports to well-known Ghanaian artists. He was selected among the Most Influential 100 Africans in 2025 and the Most Impactful MP in 2024 as a result of his work.
Ablakwa has been actively participating in high-level diplomatic negotiations throughout West Africa.
These include conversations, for example, about regional conflict issues with Ivorian officials and meetings with Nigerian counterparts on cooperation, security, and commercial relations.
In order to solve persistent issues with the passport system, the Minister of Foreign Affairs has implemented changes domestically.
He started taking action to shorten processing times and enhance applicant service shortly after entering office.
The public has mostly applauded the extension of passport offices to all 16 regions as part of his campaign pledge.
In an effort to raise morale and productivity, Ablakwa has also concentrated on enhancing the welfare of the ministry’s employees, constructing new staff transport arrangements.
The minister has promoted cultural and diaspora engagement as key foreign policy tools that go beyond conventional diplomacy.
He recently gave diplomatic passports to a few well-known Ghanaian artists, a move that admirers claim strengthens Ghana’s cultural diplomacy abroad.
Ablakwa also contributed significantly to diaspora participation, helping to organise the Diaspora Summit in 2025.
Ablakwa has presented a vision of people-centred and development-orientated diplomacy in a number of public speeches. This vision is based on economic diplomacy, integrity, and safeguarding the welfare of Ghanaians residing overseas.
His present reputation expands on earlier honours, such as being named one of the Most Influential 100 Africans in 2025 and being awarded Most Impactful MP in 2024. These honours continue to raise his profile both domestically and internationally.
According to Ghana’s 2025 Citizens’ Survey, other important ministers are Hon. Eric Opoku, Minister of Food and Agriculture; Dr Ato Forson, Minister of Finance; Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Education; Hon. John Abdulai Jinapor, Minister of Energy; and Hon. Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, Minister of Interior.
