Akufo-Addo appoints Lariba Abudu as Gender minister-designate
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has appointed the MP for Walewale, Lariba Zuweira Abudu, as the Minister-designate for gender, children and social protection pending Parliamentary approval.
Until her appointment, she was the deputy minister for the gender ministry.
“President Akufo-Addo has also nominated Francisca Oteng Mensah, Member of Parliament for Kwabre East, as Deputy Minister-designate for gender, children and social protection, subject to the approval of Parliament,” a statement signed by the director of communications at the Office of the President Eugene Arhin said.
Below is the full statement:
Revocation of appointment
In late July, President Akufo-Addo revoked the appointment of Sarah Adwoa Safo as the Gender minister.
A member of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Nii Kpakpo Samoa Addo, commended President Nana Akufo-Addo for revoking her appointment, describing it as apt.
Adwoa Safo has been under severe criticism for her continuous absence from Parliament with the Speaker of the House, Alban Bagbin denying media reports suggesting that he had granted her permission to absent herself.
A step too late
Reacting to the development on Asaase 99.5 Accra’s news analysis show, The Forum, on Saturday (30 July 2022), Samoa Addo said: “I must congratulate the president even though it’s a step too late.”
“The president can not leave the jurisdiction for a year without telling us why he’s doing so. So, as a minister who exercises delegated responsibility, you’re held to same standard.”
“This issue is both a political and legal matter,” Addo said. “Adwoa Safo occupies a dual position (MP and minister) so we have to take it from two different angles.”
“We’re talking about Adwoa Safo as a minister, who exercises a delegated responsibility. If the minister who represents us leaves the country, on what authority did she leave the country?” he asked.
“The reason why you don’t get people being sympathetic to her is that she’s seen on social media doing things that have no reflection whatsoever.”
Speaking on the same programme, Theophilus Larbi, the constituency secretary of the NPP branch of Dome-Kwabenya said the president has been tactful with his decision.
“I think President Akufo-Addo has been very patient because even a lot of grassroots people are having a go at the president who has nothing to do with the absenteeism of our MP.
“We’ve had to do a lot of explanation to people, but it’s difficult to explain to people when you have limited information,” Larbi said.
