Watch your diction; you’ve to retract that – Ablakwa tells Oppong Nkrumah as tensions flare before Appointments C’ttee

Tensions flared in Parliament as North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, demanded a retraction and apology from Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, the Works and Housing Minister.

Mr. Ablakwa called for the Minister’s apology during his appearance before the Parliamentary Appointments Committee on Wednesday, 28 August 2024, accusing him of using his role on the committee as a “bully pulpit.”

The heated exchange occurred amid discussions on delays in completing housing units for victims of the Akosombo dam spillage.

Mr. Ablakwa took issue with the Minister’s comment, arguing that it undermined the integrity of his position.

“Honourable Minister, you will be well advised to watch your diction. You will be well advised. I will not take that. To suggest that I am using this position as a bully pulpit… You have to retract that because that is not what I am doing here. You must retract and apologise. I am well within my standing orders,” Mr. Ablakwa asserted.

In response, Mr. Oppong Nkrumah challenged the demand, questioning why he could not defend himself against accusations made by the North Tongu MP.

“It is okay for the Chairman of the committee and the committee to accuse the Minister of being insincere, of deflecting without more and I do not have the right to answer or to share a different view?” he asked.

The Minister insisted on his right to respond, emphasizing: “If you choose to accuse me of insincerity, of introducing red herrings or deflecting, that is not about the people. That is you accusing me, and if you are accusing me, I must have a right to respond.”

Amid the heated confrontation, the Chairman of the Appointments Committee instructed the media to turn off their cameras.

Source:classfmonline.com