The Minority in Parliament has justified its decision to reject the approval for the minister-designate for Gender and Social Protection Otiko Afisa Djaba.
Parliament has been debating the appointment committee’s report on the second batch of ministers but the Minority said all the nominees apart from Madam Otiko Djaba should be approved because she was disrespectful and failed to do her national service as required by law.
Otiko Djaba, refused to apologise to former president John Mahama for describing him as “wicked” and “evil” when she appeared before the Appointments Committee for her vetting.
The Minority caucus made fruitless attempts to get her to withdraw the comments when she appeared before them on Tuesday.
Ms. Djaba, however, stated that she does not owe the former president any apology, arguing that she was simply exercising her freedom of speech.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament Friday, Minority leader, Haruna Iddrisu reiterated the stance of the minority on the grounds that the nominee’s attitude and temperament will be an affront to the Ministry she is to head.
“We have heard the public question the appointment committee that sometimes we take long too much but the longer it is the better we know the temperament of the Nominee…We are not just looking at the understanding of Policies but we are interested in your temperament…we on this side are convinced that the nominee Otiko Djaba given every opportunity she has described the former President Mahama as ‘evil’ then we persuaded her in body language…and assured her that it’s not our culture but…her attitude, her temperament and the sensitivity on women and children [was not the best].”
The Minority added that her inability to offer national service does not also merit her to be appointed as a Minister.
