President Akufo-Addo has charged the newly appointed Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection Lariba Zuweira Abudu and her Deputy Francisca Oteng Mensah to ensure that throughout their tenure in office, they remain above reproach.
In his speech after swearing in the Minister and her Deputy at the banquet hall of the Jubilee House today 28 December 2022, President Akufo-Addo said their appointments have come at a very crucial time and that the promotion of the welfare of the Ghanaian people must be their most important priority.
“Your appointments have come at a critical time in the history of our country and your success in this endeavour will be a consequence of the oaths you have solemnly sworn to uphold the interest of the Republic, its constitution and its citizenry and to dedicate yourselves to the promotion of their general well-being,” President Akufo-Addo said.
“The quality of integrity which will permeate your work is extremely important. You have to remember at all times, the solemn commitment that we in the New Patriotic Party have made collectively and individually, jointly and severally in the language of the lawyers, to serve the Ghanaian people honestly and competently.
“We are called to these public appointments to provide public service and not to promote our gain” the President added.
Assets declaration
President Akufo-Addo in his remarks reminded the Minister and her Deputy to file their assets declaration forms as required by law.
He added that the conduct of his appointees including the newly sworn-in will go a long way to determine the fortunes of the NPP in the political space of the country in the years to come.
“Do not in this regard fail to file your assets declarations promptly and remain above reproach in your public dealings.
“Your conduct, my conduct, our collective conduct in the executive will determine the fate and fortunes of our party, the New Patriotic Party in these and succeeding decades,” President Akufo-Addo said.
Commitment to serve
Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection Lariba Zuweira Abudu, in her acceptance speech, noted that together with her Deputy, they are committed to making the ministry an enviable one among all ministries.
She indicated that they will knock on the doors of the Chief of Staff at the office of the President, Madam Akosua Frema Osei Opare constantly to ensure that the many problems bedevilling the ministry are dealt with.
Revocation of appointment
In late July 2022, President Akufo-Addo revoked the appointment of Sarah Adwoa Safo as the Gender Children and Social Protection Minister.
Sarah Adwoa Safo before the revocation of her appointment had been under severe criticism for her continuous absence from her post and Parliament with the Speaker of the House, Alban Bagbin denying media reports suggesting that he had granted her permission to be absent herself.
New appointments
President Akufo-Addo, following article 78 of the Constitution, on 2 August 2022, appointed the then Deputy Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection Lariba Zuweira Abudu, Member of Parliament for Walewale, as Minister-designate for Gender, Children and Social Protection.
In the same letter communicating the substantive minister’s appointment, President Akufo-Addo under article 79 of the Constitution nominated Francisca Oteng Mensah, Member of Parliament for Kwabre East, as Deputy Minister-designate for Gender, Children and Social Protection.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo 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 gender, children and social protection.
From Wilberforce Asare
