“You Sit There and Allow people to Speak Anyhow” – First Lady Refuses to Greet Speaker

“You Sit There and Allow people to Speak Anyhow” – First Lady Refuses to Greet Speaker – READ

Ghana’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) on the 3rd of January took an unexpected turn when First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo was seen visibly upset during the proceedings.

There were tense moments during the event, which took place in Parliament, as President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo was allegedly heckled by opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) from the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

The First Lady looked irritated as she refused Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin’s hand gesture in a widely shared video from the event. While her words were faint, she was subtly heard saying, “You sit there and allow people to speak to [him] anyhow…”

The president’s claims about the accomplishments of his administration were reportedly the source of the heckling.

Though NDC MPs challenged aspects of the address during the session, it was afterward that Ningo-Prampram MP Sam George made headlines. Speaking to the media, he openly called the President a “liar,” criticising the validity of certain statements made during the SONA.

Many have interpreted the First Lady’s apparent decision to leave Parliament as a silent protest against what she perceived to be disrespect for the presidency.

Reactions to her departure have been conflicting. There are Ghanaians who share her opinion, contending that Parliament should behave honorably during such momentous events. However, some argue that post-event criticism and parliamentary heckling are normal aspects of a thriving democracy.

As President Akufo-Addo approaches the end of his term in office, this incident serves as a reminder of the growing political tensions in Ghana.

Despite the opposition’s ongoing criticism of his legacy, proponents of the administration have urged that constructive discourse take precedence over private assaults or public spectacle.

As of now, neither the Speaker of Parliament nor the First Lady’s office has issued an official statement on the incident.

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However, the episode has once again highlighted how important it is for Ghanaian citizens to speak politely and with respect, especially when it comes to high-profile events like the State of the Nation Address.

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