Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has paid tribute to the late Dr. Murtala Mohammed, describing the former Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology as a man of exceptional integrity.
In an interview with Channel One TV on August 11, 2025, Ablakwa recalled a memorable encounter from their early years in politics, when they travelled together to Libya to meet then-leader Muammar Gaddafi.
The visit, he explained, was part of efforts to advance Africa’s liberation and encourage influential figures, including traditional leaders, to embrace Gaddafi’s vision.
According to Ablakwa, the trip was lavishly arranged and filled with anticipation. During the engagement, they were presented with a lucrative contract that could have transformed their lives. However, Dr. Murtala declined to sign, insisting that the project’s scope was unrealistic and beyond what he could genuinely deliver.
“Despite the enormous financial benefits on offer, he simply refused to get involved in something he felt was not feasible,” Ablakwa said.
He further revealed that upon their return, some prominent chiefs and political figures—whom he declined to name—approached Gaddafi in an attempt to secure the deal for themselves.
Ablakwa lauded Dr. Murtala’s unwavering principles, noting that he never pretended to take on responsibilities he couldn’t fulfill. “If he knew he couldn’t do it, he would walk away, no matter how tempting the offer,” he said, describing the late minister as a rare example of honesty in politics.
He expressed deep sorrow over the loss, calling Dr. Murtala a fearless, committed, and energetic figure whose absence would be profoundly felt by the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Muammar Gaddafi, who ruled Libya from 1969 until his death in 2011, was known for his revolutionary leadership and controversial political ideology.
