By: Sarah Baafi
The Member of Parliament for Damango and Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has called for a clear and strategic foreign policy direction, urging Ghana to remain non-aligned while leveraging diplomacy for economic benefit in a volatile global environment.
Speaking in an exclusive interview on GTV, the MP outlined what he described as the most effective path for Ghana as global tensions continue to reshape trade, security, and economic relations.
He stressed that Ghana’s foreign policy must remain anchored in multilateralism, with active engagement through the United Nations, African Union, and ECOWAS.
“Our attitude should be within the framework of multilateralism,” he said, pointing to the need for coordinated global and regional responses to ongoing crises.
He emphasized non-alignment as a core principle, warning against taking sides in an increasingly polarized world.
“We do not think aligning with one bloc serves Ghana’s national interest,” he stated.
According to him, maintaining neutrality allows Ghana to engage broadly, protect its interests, and avoid unnecessary geopolitical risks.
He also highlighted economic diplomacy as a key tool for national development, arguing that foreign policy must directly support growth, trade, and investment.
“Foreign policy must inure to the national interest,” he noted, stressing that international engagements should translate into tangible economic outcomes for citizens.
The MP linked Ghana’s foreign policy choices to domestic economic realities, noting that global disruptions continue to affect local conditions.
He pointed to supply chain challenges, rising production costs in major economies, and geopolitical tensions affecting energy markets as factors driving up the cost of imports.
“Countries like Ghana will feel the pinch,” he said, referencing the country’s reliance on imports.
Despite these challenges, he maintained that a well-structured foreign policy can help cushion the impact by securing better trade terms, attracting investment, and strengthening regional cooperation.
On Ghana’s recent leadership in pushing for reparative justice at the United Nations, he described the move as a significant diplomatic success that enhances the country’s global standing.
“There is absolutely no question that the resolution should be commended,” he said.
He added, however, that the focus must now shift from declarations to implementation.
“It is possible to explore options such as debt swaps as part of reparative measures,” he suggested, pointing to practical ways Ghana and other affected countries could benefit.
The MP also noted that while no amount of compensation can fully address historical injustices, structured financial mechanisms could provide meaningful support to developing economies.
Beyond foreign policy, he underscored the importance of credibility in governance, warning that public confidence depends on the ability of leaders to deliver on commitments.
“Political leaders must do their best to honour the commitments they make,” he said.
He cautioned that declining trust in democratic institutions could have serious consequences if not addressed, particularly if citizens begin to disengage from the electoral process.
The MP concluded that Ghana’s path forward lies in a disciplined and coherent approach that combines strategic neutrality, active diplomacy, and policies that deliver measurable benefits to the economy.
