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Thursday, 18 June 2026
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Ghanaian press · Person

Samuel Abdulai Jinapor

Also known as: Mr Abdulai Jinapor

Samuel Abdulai Jinapor — Ranking Member on Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, disputing government size claims and criticizing evacuation handling during South Africa crisis.

2026-04-302026-06-18
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In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. April 2026

  2. Joy Online

    … According to the Damango MP, Samuel Abdulai Jinapor, the current situation in South Africa is “quite dire,” with reports suggesting that some foreign nationals, including Ghanaians, are living in fear due to rising insecurity. …

    Ghanaians should be advised against non-essential travel to South Africa – Minority
Politics

Jinapor disputes Mahama's "lean government" claim amid cost debate

The News

Member of Parliament Samuel Abdulai Jinapor has questioned characterizations of the Mahama administration as a "lean government," arguing that true government size must be assessed by examining appointments across the entire public sector, including ministries, departments, agencies, and diplomatic missions, rather than focusing only on ministers and deputy ministers. He cited an increase in deputy ambassadors as evidence that overall staffing and costs have not been reduced despite reductions in ministerial positions.

Why it matters

MP Jinapor's challenge to the government's 'lean government' claim raises accountability questions about the true scale of public sector employment and costs.

16 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Tuesday 16 June

  1. Jinapor disputes Mahama's "lean government" claim amid cost debate

    Member of Parliament Samuel Abdulai Jinapor has questioned characterizations of the Mahama administration as a "lean government," arguing that true government size must be assessed by examining appointments across the entire public sector, including ministries, departments, agencies, and diplomatic missions, rather than focusing only on ministers and deputy ministers. He cited an increase in deputy ambassadors as evidence that overall staffing and costs have not been reduced despite reductions in ministerial positions.

    16 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 15 June

  1. Damongo MP calls for CSO audit of Mahama government costs

    Samuel Abdulai Jinapor, MP for Damongo, has urged civil society organisations and independent policy institutions to assess the actual size and cost of the Mahama administration, arguing that discussions should extend beyond the number of ministers to include broader compensation for political appointees across the public sector.

    15 June 2026 · Joy Online →

  2. Government size cannot be judged by minister numbers alone

    Damongo MP Samuel Jinapor argues that assessing government size requires examining broader compensation structures, presidential staffers, advisers, and appointees across state institutions—not just the count of ministers and deputy ministers. He contends that while the Mahama administration appointed fewer ministers than its predecessor, a true picture of government size emerges only after examining compensation expenditures under the Office of Government Machinery.

    15 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Wednesday 3 June

  1. Minority urges government to address jobs and living costs

    The Minority in Parliament has called on the Mahama administration to shift from political rhetoric to implementing policies that address unemployment and the rising cost of living. According to Samuel Abdulai Jinapor, the Ranking Member on Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, the government should focus on concrete solutions, particularly supporting private sector growth for sustainable job creation.

    3 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Tuesday 2 June

  1. Minority criticises evacuation reception, calls for deeper relief efforts

    Ghana's Minority in Parliament has criticised the Foreign Affairs Minister over what it describes as "funfair and PR" surrounding the evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa, arguing the government should focus on substantive relief work for stranded citizens as xenophobic attacks escalate.

    2 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Saturday 30 May

  1. Minority commends government's evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa

    The ranking member on Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee has commended the government for its ongoing evacuation efforts to bring home Ghanaian citizens caught up in unrest in South Africa, though he noted early concerns about the pace of the operation. He referenced Ghana's historical record of successful evacuations during conflicts in Sierra Leone and Liberia and from Ukraine during COVID-19.

    30 May 2026 · Joy Online →

  2. Ghana Minority MP dismisses Malema's criticism of evacuation

    Ranking Member Samuel Abdulai Jinapor has urged Ghana to disregard remarks by EFF leader Julius Malema, who questioned the timing and approach of Ghana's evacuation of citizens caught up in xenophobic attacks in South Africa, saying Ghanaian national interests should supersede external commentary.

    30 May 2026 · Joy Online →

Friday 22 May

  1. Minority caucus criticizes evacuation announcement without preparation

    Parliament's Minority caucus on the Foreign Affairs Committee has questioned the government's decision to announce the evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa amid xenophobic attacks before completing proper preparations, describing the development as "deeply troubling." The caucus noted that hundreds of Ghanaians had registered with the High Commission in Pretoria in anticipation of assistance, and expressed concern about the government's handling of the matter following postponement of the planned evacuation.

    22 May 2026 · Joy Online →

  2. Parliament Minority criticizes government evacuation delay from South Africa

    The Minority caucus on Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee has criticized the government's postponement of plans to evacuate Ghanaians from South Africa amid renewed xenophobic tensions. The Minority said the delay has heightened anxiety among Ghanaians living there and described government's handling of the situation as "deeply troubling," noting that the protection of Ghanaians abroad is a fundamental responsibility of government.

    22 May 2026 · Joy Online →

Wednesday 20 May

  1. Jinapor criticises Abronye DC detention, warns against political suppression

    Samuel Jinapor, Ranking Member on Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, has criticised the continued detention of Kwame Baffoe (Abronye DC), warning that the criminal justice system must not be used to suppress political opposition or public commentary, and arguing that bail should not be used as a punitive measure.

    20 May 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 30 April

  1. Parliament's Minority urges travel advisory for South Africa

    Minority in Parliament has called on Ghana's Foreign Affairs Ministry to issue a travel advisory warning citizens against non-essential travel to South Africa, citing worsening safety concerns and xenophobic attacks affecting Ghanaians there. The ranking member on the foreign affairs committee said the situation is "quite dire" and that such an advisory would help citizens make informed decisions.

    30 April 2026 · Joy Online →

Samuel Abdulai Jinapor — Ghanaian press coverage · Ghana Minute