The 2020 flagbearer aspirant for the opposition National Democratic Congress Alban Kingsford Sumani Bagbin has apologised for his “indiscretion” after his comments on disabled persons appointed to certain roles in government attracted a backlash.
At a press conference he organised, the Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament said his comments should not have been made in public but was rather a private matter to be discussed within NDC circles.
But beyond this, he refused to accept his comments was an attack on persons with disabilities as portrayed on social and mainstream media.
The NDC MP who wants to lead his party in the 2020 elections made the following comments during a tour of the Volta region to canvass support.
“When Prof [Atta Mills] was in power, Haruna Iddrisu was our linguist in charge of communication, when my brother John [Mahama] came to power, he substituted him for Dr Omane Boamah who is a natural stammerer,”
“He is a very intelligent boy, he is smart but when he is speaking, he wastes time in coming out and Ghanaians do not have that much patience, so, they are always looking for those that are rattling.”
He was condemned by persons which included no less than the founder of the party and former president Jerry John Rawlings.
He accepted “full responsibility” and explained they were private NDC matters which should not have gone public.
He, however, dismissed criticisms that he questioned the competence of disabled persons in holding public office.
“Never, I did not say that,” he insisted. Alban Bagbin said he questioned the “wisdom” of the appointments made by former President John Mahama.
“I only questioned the wisdom in placing the three of them in the designated ministries”.