Afotey-Agbo grilled over ‘okada’

Greater Accra Regional Minister-designate Joseph Nii Laryea Afotey-Agbo, popularly known as ‘Lion’, was yesterday grilled by members of the Appointments Committee of Parliament over his comments relating to ‘Okada’ business or use of motorbikes for commercial purposes in Accra.

The nominee, the then Minister for Greater Accra Region, had reportedly stated publicly that no law could ban ‘Okada’ business at the time Parliament had passed a law banning the use of motorbikes for commercial gains.

He protested that the state had not been able to create enough jobs for the teeming unemployed youth and therefore could not ban them from their newly found employment opportunity like ‘Okada’.

Yesterday, when the outspoken Greater Accra Regional Minister-designate was quizzed by a member of the committee, Haruna Iddrisu, whether he still stood by the comments, the nominee only answered he would help to enforce all laws in the country.

Surprisingly, Afotey-Agbo, who is also the Member of Parliament for Kpone Katamanso in the Greater Accra Region, told the Appointments Committee that he made the comments about the Okada business because he did not know Parliament had passed a law banning it.

His confession left members of the committee perplexed, wondering how a lawmaker could be so ignorant of laws passed by the House.

The nominee had earlier stated he made the statement about the Okada business because the police were enforcing the law immediately parliament outlawed it, which created some tension the city.

He said apart from the fact that he did not know the law was passed at the time, he also needed to calm flaring tempers of the youth engaged in the Okada business.

“We were just about to go into elections and enforcement of the law was creating tension and I needed to calm the tension,” Afotey-Agbo pointed out.

Asked whether he would support people to break the law because there were no job opportunities for them, the nominee said no, adding, “I will always collaborate with anybody to ensure laws are obeyed.”

Touching on the activities of landguards who attacked people in areas such as Kpone Katamanso, Afotey-Agbo said he would do everything in his power to cure the worrying phenomenon.

“My ears are on the ground and I know every corner within my constituency. I know every corner in the region and I interact with people, and this would help me to control the land guards,” he stated.

Also appearing before the Appointments Committee, the Western Regional Minister-designate, Paul Evans Aidoo, waded into the topical issue of homosexuality, saying the people of his region were against the act.

“I can assure you that if elections were held in the Western Region, about 99.9 percent of people of the people would vote against it,” the nominee indicated.

As the Western Regional Minister under late President Atta Mills’ administration, Mr. Aidoo clamped down on homosexuals in the region, warning them not to bring their ungodly act there.

Meanwhile, the Appointments Committee, chaired by First Deputy Speaker Ebo Barton-Odro, is expected to present its report on some of the ministerial nominees to the House today for consideration.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, all the nominees of President John Dramani Mahama would be approved by the House, with the Minority caucus still expected to abstain from voting on them.