Otiko Djaba's defiance and the politics of insults

Many Ghanaians who thought Ms Otiko Afisa Djaba, Minister - designate for the Gender, Children, and Social Protection ministry, would apologize to former president John Mahama and put matters to rest were left dumbfounded when she appeared defiant. I personally think those statements were "campaign talks" and should have been laid to rest when she was confronted by members of the opposition at her vetting by the Appointments Committee of Parliament. I have a firm belief that Ms Otiko wouldn't, on a normal day, describe the president as "wicked and evil" and refuse to apologize.

However, Ms Otiko had her own thoughts.
If she had retracts and apologizes, what would people make of her credibility as a public officer if she finally assumes that office? Would people take her word for anything? Would anybody like to deal with someone who says one thing today and goes back on it the next day? She would have lost all trust and confidence in the public's eyes.

Madam Otiko Afisa Djaba

As we condemn her for those 'wild' comments about the former president, we should not turn a blind eye to what has been said of other past presidents and other political leaders. A lady once alleged former president J. A. Kufuor slept with her and some people rode on that to cast slurs on the former president because it served their political interests.

The current president, Nana Akufo-Addo, has been the most insulted of all political leaders in this country (according to my own research). All manner of unfounded allegations were labelled against him. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) communicators, led by senior journalist Kwesi Pratt, levelled so many allegations against Akufo-Addo including the Wikileaks cables. Those now trying to crucify Ms Otiko never saw anything wrong with that line of politicking then.

I don't believe that it is good to repeat the evil done yesterday today. People only condemn when things go against them. If the politics of insults is not what we want, we need not be hypocritical about it. We must take concrete steps to have it stamped out of our polity. Condemning one person today for insults and stepping into their shoes the next day is hypocrisy at its highest.