Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong has said that the former Gender Minister Otiko Afisa-Djaba has every right to leave politics if she decides she’s had enough.
He added that he doesn’t have a problem with her decision to quit politics if she feels it’s time to move on.
“I’m not too sure that she has resigned but if it is true I think it’s her prerogative she has every right to decide at what time she wants to be in politics and what time she wants to get out.
If she feels that she doesn’t want to be in politics again you do it to sometime and you realize you’re tired, enough is enough you have to go and rest… I don’t have any problem with it if indeed it’s true that she is resigning.”
The immediate past Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection who was thrown out of office in the President’s first reshuffle revealed to Daily Graphic in an interview that she’s calling it quits from active politics to enable her enjoy her family life.
“At 56 years, I want to relax and enjoy my family and life and, therefore, I am not ready to take up the appointment as Ambassador to Italy,” she said.
Otiko explained that she was leaving politics to care for her sick ex-husband.
“I am the one who has been taking care of him since he got sick and I cannot abandon him now,” she noted.
In April 2017, Otiko got involved in a public spat with then NPP Northern regional chairman Bugri Naabu, of which many critics voiced out saying it was unnecessary and gave the party and Akufo-Addo government negative publicity.
However, Mr Agyapong noted that he will not discredit Ms Otiko as she is an important and relevant member of the party who held the post of women organizer and brought victory to the NPP. He said that every member of the party is important including their vote.
“Every member of the party is important if nothing at all her vote is important so she is relevant and more so she was women organiser who brought the party to power she was part of it, she played a role so I cannot stand here and tell you oh if otiko has resign she can resign because no I can’t say that. She is very important and don’t forget one person that leaves the party has a husband, like Otiko has children, has relatives, so if one person resigns it is not her alone she has about fifty people that will follow her and you need as president fifty percent plus one vote so everybody counts. So I will not stand here and discredit her.”
While speaking to JoyNews, Mr Agyapong also confirmed his will to leave politics because he claimed he’s had enough. The controversial politician has been known to voice out his opinion at any given time.
“Take me for instance I want to leave and go and enjoy my retirement at age 60 and my people don’t seem to understand. Sometimes you get involve with certain things and you realize oh enough is enough I have to move on. So it is only in this country people are afraid to resign that is why I’m not a minister because if the thing is not right I will say it, if it is against my superior and he says no I will resign so I don’t see anything wrong with it.”
