Lariba Zuweira Abudu and Francesca Oteng Mensah were sworn in as minister and deputy minister of gender, children, and social protection, respectively, on December 28, 2022, by President of the Republic Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. They were cautioned to maintain a fair balance between their legislative and executive responsibilities.
“Let me remind you of your dual roles in the legislature and the executive, and how your appointment does not relieve you of your duties as members of the legislature,” President Akufo-Addo said after congratulating the appointees. You’ll need to develop the ability to successfully juggle your dual roles as government officials and members of Parliament. Though difficult, it is possible, so you must complete it.
Always keep in mind that the new procedures for conducting parliamentary business—namely, the scheduling of sittings and the provision of decision dates—have been designed to make it easier for you to perform your duties as an executive. Therefore, there is no justification for disregarding your parliamentary duties.
“For me, signs that the confidence I place in you is not misplaced are the wide acceptance of your nominations by the Ghanaian people and the nature of your individual performances during Parliament’s approval processes. However, you must defend your selection, particularly in light of the fact that many of your peers in the house have been passed over despite making similar claims to your competence, he said.
He stated that “your appointments have come into critical moments in the history of our country, and your success in this endeavour, will be a consequence of the oaths, you have solemnly sworn to uphold the interest of the republic, its constitution and its citizenry, and to dedicate yourselves to the promotion of their general wellbeing, the quality of integrity, which will permeate your work is extremely important.”
In lieu of this, he continued, “you have to remember at all times the solemn commitment that we in the New Patriotic Party, have made collectively and individually, jointly and severally, in the language of the lawyers, to serve the Ghanaian people, honestly and competently.
We are called to these public appointments to provide public service, not to promote our personal gains. Do not in this regard fail to file your assets declarations properly, and remain above reproach in your public dealings. Your conduct, my conduct, and our collective conduct in the executive will determine the fate and fortunes of our party, the New Patriotic Party in this and succeeding decades.”
Concluding President Akufo-Addo, said, “the success of your work will be seen in the hard work you bring to it, you have both been carefully chosen for your portfolio. Your educational and professional background, your life experiences and your character have dictated these choices. An opportunity is being afforded to you to serve your country in an elevated capacity, seize the opportunity with humility but with determination and perform, guided always by the almighty God.”