The nomination of Madam Otiko Afisa Djaba as Minister-designate for Gender, Children and Social Protection is said to face objection from the Minority Caucus in Parliament.
The Minority in Parliament is reportedly not in agreement with approving Otiko Djaba to the Gender Ministry after she appeared before the Parliamentary Appointments Committee (PAC) to be vetted.
During her vetting, she was asked by some minority members on the Committee, principally the Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu, to retract some disparaging comments she is alleged to have made about former President John Dramani Mahama prior to the last year's elections.
The Minister-designate however refused to retract and apologize to the former President.
Following her appearance before the Appointments Committee, there are reports she may not gain the approval of the minority on grounds that she failed to undergo National Service, a prerequisite for appointment as a Public Servant, and also vilified the former President but refused to eat back her words.
Speaking on "Alhaji and Alhaji" on Radio Gold, Kwesi Pratt Jnr. came to the defence of Otiko Djaba, claiming she can't be disqualified for allegedly casting aspersions on the former President.
According to Mr. Pratt, there have been several instances where some leaders in the country have been hailed for their ability to insult, and so wondered why the Gender Minister-designate should be set as a scape goat.
“How can we disqualify Madam Otiko Djaba simply because she insulted or allegedly insulted former President Mahama? In this country, some of the people who have been at the echelon of power have been most insulting. They’ve used far-weightier expressions than that of Madam Otiko Djaba and indeed, even today, there are people who exercise tremendous power who continue to insult and nobody is arguing that we should remove them from their positions.
“So, it will be a mark of hypocrisy if a country which tolerates, has tolerated, and it appears to continue to tolerate insults in public discourse, singles out Madam Otiko Djaba and frustrates her appointment simply because she insults. And I’m not saying for one moment that insults in public discourse is acceptable. It is not acceptable. It is an aberration. In fact, it does not make it possible for us to address the concrete issue before us. It should be discouraged. But I’m saying, I’m asking; why do we treat Madam Otiko Djaba differently from others?” he queried.
To him, the public discourse should center on whether Otiko Djaba is lawfully fit to hold her position.
Mr. Pratt argued that the country's laws do not permit a person to hold public office if he or she hasn't done his or her national service and so, asked "are we going to uphold the law or we’re not going to uphold the law? That is the issue before us…The point is what does our law say about national service? It’s a matter of law.”
In his view, by her (Otiko Djaba) admission before the Committee that she failed to do her national service; it is prudent for the legislators to apply the laws the country.
Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi /Peacefmonline.com/Ghana
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. |
FOR THIS ONE ALONE, HAIL TO KWESI "THE CHAMELEON" PRATT FOR CALLING A SPADE A SPADE!!! KWESI PRATT AS I'VE COME TO KNOW HIM BY HIS PROVOCATIVE AND TWISTED TRUTHS HAS FOR THE FIRST TIME EARNED AN APPLAUSE BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN HE HAS MADE IT BACK TO MY GOOD BOOKS. AFTER ALL, WHO IS JOHN MAHAMA THAT SOME ***barred word*** IN THE NDC ARE NOW TRYING TO ELEVATE HIM (JDM) TO SAINTHOOD? THE MOST CORRUPT,ARROGANT,DIVISIVE AND FOUL-MOUTHED PRESIDENT EVER TO RULE GHANA. JDM WAS NO ROLE MODEL TO THE ANY GENERATION OF GHANAIANS AND DESERVE TO BE CASTIGATED AS SUCH. HAIL AND TO OTIKO FOR HER BOLD STANCE SHE JUST WON THE "HAWA YAKUBU" OUR NPP "IRON LADY" OF BL;ESSED MEMORY AWARD FOR EXCEPTIONAL COURAGE!!!!!!
so we should open the flood gates and let the insults flow....use your common sense small. because these people have insulted we should follow their foo0lishness, come on use common sense and morality
When Okudzeto Ablakwa, Felix Ofosu Kwakye, Agyenim Boateng, Omane Boama and Otukonor,just to mention but few, runs riot from the campuses as NDC propagandist without any work experience, they were rewarded for such INSULTS on opponents and Elderly statemen they and and their FATHERS are not fit to EVEN CARRY THEIR SHOES. Come to think of the MOST villified Political Statesman in the last 3 DECADES in this our dear Country Ghana. Nana Akuffo Addo, undoubtedly the MOST experienced politician who contributed in preparing the grounds democratically for Ghana's stride in Good Governance and WHO Ex-president MAHAMA in his hearts of hearts knew he CANNOT COMPARE HEROICALLY, but for Political Opportunism, the affore mentioned babies with sharpe TEETH were appointed Ministers over our dear people and conscience. Today, Ablakwa had the affortery to sit on the appointment committee asking questions boardering on Morality. In all their arrogance and Insultive behaviour, the one reason their ministries especially the Education sector failed miserably, EX-PRESIDENT JOHN DRAMANI MAHAMA WAS THE DIRECT BENEFICIARY OF THE UNSAVORY ATTACKS ON THE MAIN OPPONENT AS HE HIMSELF JOINED LATER DURING THE CAMPAIGN. NO ONE SHOULD TRY TO CREATE SAINTLY ROBE ON THE EX-PRESIDENT COS HE WAS INDEED THE WORST PRESIDENT IN THIS PART OF AFRICA AND NOT GHANA ALONE. ONLY LOQUACIOUSE SIGNIFYING NOTHING BUT AGRANDIZEMENT AND WASTE.
What a propergandist Kwesi Pratt. Has anybody invited him to speak on this matter. "Dzi wo fie asem" NDC is in opposition so he has no job to do than to talk about this. National service or not, she will go to the ministry. We want her and no other person.
Pratt is vintage diabolic: blowing and biting. Otiko will pass ... as Oti B. passed.
On what basis are we asking Ms Otiko Djabah to the one year national service? Do secondary school leavers serve in the national service? She attended UDS as an adult but officially not completed so on what basis are we asking him to honour her national service? This pitty.
THE TRUTH THEY SAY HURTS.