Family emergency kept Naa Momo way from being sworn in - Kwakye Ofosu clarifies
Accra, Ghana - 25 Jan, 2025 - The Ghanaian Presidency has refuted claims that Gender Minister-designate Agnes Naa Momo Lartey missed her swearing-in ceremony due to tardiness or failure to show up on time.
According to Presidential Spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Naa Momo Lartey had notified the Presidency of a family emergency that required her to travel outside Accra, making it difficult for her to attend the ceremony on time.
The Presidency had anticipated her possible absence and made provisions for it, including preparing two alternative speeches.
Speaking on Keypoints, a current affairs programme on TV3 on Saturday, January 25, Mr Kwakye Ofosu praised Naa Momo Lartey for making an effort to attend despite the challenges, describing her as a serious and dedicated individual.
“Naa Momo truthfully indicated that a family emergency had taken her out of Accra, and therefore, it was going to be very close. We encouraged her to come nonetheless and that if she got there in time, she would be added, and if for some reason she could not make it, we would do it another time,” he explained.
“So, if you observe carefully, President Mahama was very specific in mentioning the names and giving them KPIs [Key Performance Indicators]. We did two alternative speeches—one that anticipated her presence and one that anticipated her absence. So immediately, we had to switch because we had prepared for that scenario,” he stated.
“It is to her credit that she showed up anyway. Given the traffic she had to navigate, it was commendable. But we were prepared for either scenario, and next week, when the President conducts another swearing-in ceremony, she will be included,” he added.
''A decision had to be taken so we reached out to the six who had initially been approved and indicated that if they were close they should indicate. Five of them said that they were within the premises of parliament so they would come to the Flagstaff House in about 10 minutes.''
“I know her very well, and I can vouch for her. She is a very serious person. It is not that she was late. She had communicated her situation honestly, and we respect public sentiments on this matter,” he said.
''We were liasing with parliament to see whether they would finish the approval so that we add all of them to the list and then swear them in. By 4 pm and at the time we were in Ho and we were just about to set off to Accra, it became apparent that Parliament could not meet the deadline of approving the others,'' he stated.
Five other ministers were sworn in during the ceremony, including Abla Dzifa Gomashie for Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts, George Opare Addo for Youth Development and Empowerment, Emelia Arthur for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Ahmed Ibrahim for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, and Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare for Trade and Industry.
The Presidency has assured that Naa Momo Lartey's swearing-in will take place during a subsequent ceremony, putting to rest any speculation about the circumstances of her absence.
Source: Lead News Online
