'I didn't know our Northern counterparts were perceived as punished ones' - Dr Ayew Afriye

Member of Parliament for Effiduase-Asokore, Dr Nana Ayew Afriye, says he never imagined that people from Northern Ghana could be perceived as “punished Ghanaians” by virtue of the fact they live and hail from the Northern region.

He says the comments from the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo, that suggests, posting to the Northern Region is a punishment cannot be treated as a slip in communication and hence, she must immediately resign and not wait to be sacked.

The lawmaker described the Minister’s remarks as offensive and unfortunate, insisting that resignation would be the most honourable decision rather than waiting to be removed from office as out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

His reaction follows public outrage over a viral video in which the Greater Accra Regional Minister appeared to suggest that postings or transfers to Northern Ghana were viewed by some public servants as a form of punishment.

The comments sparked criticism from sections of the public, particularly among residents and indigenes of the northern regions, who described the remarks as divisive and disrespectful.

Speaking on the matter, Dr Ayew Afriye stressed that public officials must exercise caution in their public utterances, especially on issues capable of deepening national divisions or reinforcing negative perceptions about parts of the country.

In a strongly worded post on his Facebook page, the MP wrote:

“I never knew the good Ghanaians and many great northern brethren we have grown with, lived and worked with, either hailing from Northern Ghana, were then considered punished Ghanaians by an NDC Minister. Madam, you don’t have to be sacked, just resign. I admire women in politics, but I’ll never let my daughter get close to you. Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.”

Dr Ayew Afriye maintained that despite the Minister’s apology, the nature of the comments warrants her resignation.

Meanwhile, Linda Ocloo has apologised for the remarks, describing them as a “slip in communication” that does not reflect her actual views or government policy regarding postings and transfers.

She explained that the comments were made while responding to concerns about alleged irregularities involving some technocrats within the public service.

The Greater Accra Regional Minister further appealed to Ghanaians, especially residents of the northern regions, to forgive her for any offence caused by the statement.

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