Being resolute paid off - Otiko

The newly sworn-in Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Otiko Afisa Djaba, has said that she is happy she did not bend to some controversial demands made by the minority members on the Appointments Committee of Parliament.

Otiko Djaba stood her grounds when she was asked to apologise to ex-president John Mahama for describing him as a ‘devil’ and a man with ‘evil heart’. The minority also failed to approve her nomination because of the less cordial relationship between herself and her mother.

But many Ghanaians did not see reasons with the minority in Parliament who later staged a walkout opposing her nomination. Most people argued that they would have supported the Minority side if they failed to approve her based on the fact that she did not do her national service instead of the other reasons they gave.

Otiko Afisa Djaba said she was very impressed with the support from Ghanaians during such times.

“I am very grateful to the good people of this country; they’ve made me understand that if you are fair and firm and stand your grounds it pays off. I am 55 years, and if I don’t learn to speak the truth now, at what point in life will I be honest in my ways,” the NPP’s national women organiser told Accra-based Kasapa FM.

Otiko who was sworn in as a minister Tuesday (February 7, 2017), said she will give her best in the Ministry despite the controversy surrounding her approval.

“Life without challenges is no life. I thank God they have approved my appointment. The Ministry I’ll be handling; there are many opportunities for me to assist in solving our social and cultural problems prevailing in our society, and I won’t relent to give off my best and work hard in that Ministry."