Work hard to shame your opponents – Akufo-Addo to Bono Regional Minister

President Akufo Addo has charged the newly sworn in Regional Minister for the Bono Region, Evelyn Ama Kumi Richardson, to work very hard in her position in order to put to shame those who opposed her appointment, particularly, the Minority caucus in Parliament.

Parliament on Friday, the 12th of April 2019, approved by a majority secret vote the nomination of Mrs. Evelyn Ama Kumi Richardson, as the Minister for Bono Region.

The approval of her nomination was decided by a secret vote because the Minority in Parliament raised issues earlier during her vetting about her academic qualifications. One hundred and twenty-four (124) MPs voted yes while 85 dissented during the secret ballot to approve her nomination.

President Akufo Addo after administering the Official Oath, Oath of Allegiance and the Oath of Secrecy, at a ceremony at the Jubilee House, to the Bono Regional Minister and her colleague for the Oti Region, Ambassador Kwasi Owusu Yeboah, said he has had good reports about her during her time as Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Sunyani, and that informed his decision to choose her as the first Regional Minister for the newly created Bono Region.

“You have to put behind you the controversy in Parliament. You had a strong vote of approval, stand on that and work to shame those who opposed your appointment” President Akufo Addo said.

The President charged the new Ministers to join his administration smoothly even though they are coming in halfway through his term of the office.

He indicated that he is looking forward to working with them in order to deliver the promises he made to the Ghanaian people.

In his response on behalf of himself and his colleague, Ambassador Kwasi Owusu Yeboah, Regional Minister for Oti, said he and his colleague will work hard to justify the confidence the President has reposed in them.

He was hopeful that the President will win a second term and also have an NPP government replacing him after his term of office has expired in 2024.