I see nothing abusive about my letter to Ato Forson – Ursula Owusu

Communications Minister, Ursula-Owusu Ekuful has refuted claims that she verbally abused the minority spokesperson on Finance who doubles as the Member of Parliament for Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam Constituency, Cassiel Ato Forson.

According to her, the letter has been hugely misunderstood first by the MP and by some members of the NDC as well as a section of Ghanaians.

In her reprisal letter which dismissed some concerns raised by Ato Forson on the directives to telcos on the implementation of a 9% Communication Service Tax, she wrote amongst other things that “If I want lessons in good morals, I certainly will not go to a brothel for it.”

The communication Minister’s choice of words has been largely castigated as heavily disrespectful and abusive to her fellow colleague in Parliament.

However, in a rebuttal, the Mr Ato Forson wrote that, “I had hoped that we could engage in a decent discourse as public officers who occupy transient positions only at the pleasure of the people we are expected to serve with decorum and honour, but it wasn’t to be. Guided by Colossians 4:6, (NIV) “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone," I refuse to join you in your brothel.”

But in her defense, Mrs Owusu-Ekuful has explained that her choice of words, particularly with respect to ‘refusing to join Ato Forson in a brothel for moral lessons’ has been misunderstood and misrepresented.

She said it was an idiomatic expression which was not to be understood by its literal meaning.

“All that I meant to say was, “if a pauper says he’ll give you a cloth, ask for his name. I see nothing abusive about what I said, absolutely nothing. So Mr Ato Forson, once again you’re wrong.”

Adding that she ‘doffs her hat’ for her English teacher who thought her good English.

The Minister was speaking on the JoyFM Super Morning Show, October 24, 2019.

Below is a copy of the letter from Mrs Owusu-Ekuful to Ato Forson