You don’t force anybody to apologise – Otiko Djaba tells NDC MP

Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection Otiko Afisa Djaba says she feels victimized by the stance taken by the Minority in Parliament over her appointment.

She says the stance that she has not undertaken her National Service is hypocritical given the approval of former Deputy Local Government Minister John Oti Bless and Tourism Minister Catherine Afeku, who had not done the Service prior to their appearances before the Appointments Committee.

The New Patriotic Party’s National Women’s Organiser says she is just being “victimised” because of her comments against Former President John Dramani Mahama, an action she does not regret at all. Members of Parliament of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have rejected Ms Djaba as Minister with two – MPs for Ashaiman (Ernest Norgbey) and Juaboso (Kwabena Akandoh) – filing a suit at the Supreme Court for a revocation of her appointment.

But speaking on TV3’s New Day on Monday, Ms Djaba said her comments that Mr Mahama was evil for failing northerners as regards the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) is the underlying reason for the NDC MPs’ action. “You don’t force anybody to apologise. I won’t apologise,” she emphasised.

She said the hullabaloo created around her comments is ominous to freedom of speech and a possible gagging of women. “Because I have spoken my mind, I should be demonized?” she wondered. On the panel was NDC MP for Adaklu, Kwame Agbodza, who reiterated his party’s stance on the Minister. He noted that Ms Djaba was not the only female nominee to appear on the Appointments Committee for her to say she was victimized.

“So, it is not true that my side of the House has anything against women,” he said, adding that her stance over the National Service Scheme does not set a good example for the young ones. He also condemned the comments made against Former President Mahama, wondering whether same should be said against President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo if he fails in his promises, which he claims is happening already. “If you so choose,” Ms Djaba retorted.