Minister flares up after being referred to as ‘incompetent’

Prior to the 2016 general elections and in the height of the political party campaigns, “Incompetent” was a cliché used by supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) then in opposition, to describe the administration of President John Dramani Mahama.

This was said to have in a way emotionally affected the president who at a rally in Ho in the Volta Region, questioned the locus of those branding him as incompetent since they have not had the opportunity to lead the country as either presidents or vice presidents.

The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto however reportedly lost his cool when a journalist referred to him as incompetent in his bid to find out if indeed the claim by another politician, Hilda Addo former Member of Parliament (MP) for Kwadaso is true.

In a recorded audio that has gone viral, he is quoted as saying “that’s very disrespectful… the word incompetence, and I don’t want you to use that word on me. If she’s crazy to use those words I don’t want you to repeat it on me, you know that is very offensive, the minister is heard retorting.

“I don’t want you to talk to me in these times… Do you know who I am, do you know what I have created in this life of mine for a journalist like you to tell me that I am incompetent. If you’re repeating somebody’s words it’s your words as well. You shouldn’t be that insubordinate. I don’t know how old you are but my son will be older than you, you understand, even the owner of your station does not come anywhere near my standard in terms of life achievement so you have to learn to be respectful, don’t use those words on me”