The Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has stated that President John Dramani Mahama is focused on delivering broader national priorities to improve the welfare of the citizenry.
He said the government’s agenda was centred on improving living conditions, creating jobs, education, healthcare, food security, access to water and stabilising the economy.
He was reacting to calls by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Assin South, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, for President Mahama to apologise over the government’s handling of the anti-LGBTQ bill.
Rev. Ntim Fordjour demanded that the President and the governing National Democratic Congress apologise to religious and traditional leaders, accusing them of failing to prioritise the bill’s passage after assuming office.
Secondary issue
Mr Kwakye Ofosu, however, said the request for an apology was a secondary issue and dismissed the demand outright.
“So, the President should go and apologise for making the welfare of Ghanaians his priority,” he asked during an interview on JoyNews.
The minister wondered why the NPP government did not sign the bill when the party was in government.
“Why did they not sign it when they were in power? When did it become a priority for them? Only when they left power?” he asked.
Criticism
Mr Kwakye Ofosu further criticised the opposition for what he described as a misplacement of priorities, arguing that pressing socio-economic challenges should take precedence in national discourse.
He also questioned the timing of the Minority’s renewed advocacy for the legislation, suggesting that the issue had not received comparable urgency when the New Patriotic Party was in power.
Realities
Mr Kwakye Ofosu contended that the realities of daily life made the debate less relevant to the average Ghanaian.
“When Ghanaians wake up in the morning, their focus is on how to get to work, how to earn a salary and how to make ends meet.
Is that bill the number one priority of every Ghanaian?
It is not. It has no meaning,” he argued.
“The issues that matter the most are those that impact the lives of Ghanaians,” he said.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh