The Member of Parliament (MP) for Walewale Constituency in the North East Region, Hajia Lariba Abudu, has written to the management of Tamale News Agency (TNA) demanded an apology and retraction of a news article alleging the MP benefited from the Zosimli Naa’s medical equipments that was allegedly auctioned by the Tema Port authority.
In a statement signed by the MP who is also Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection on Wednesday September 27, 2023, the Gender Minister described the claims contained in the Tamale News Agency as “completely false”.
“The allegations made in the article are not only devoid of merit but also detrimental to my reputation. I kindly and earnestly request that the so-call Tamale News Agency take the necessary steps to retract the article and issue a public apology for the dissemination of inaccurate information.
The Tamale News Agency in an article stated, “Zosimli Naa’s Dr. Ife Bell medical equipments that was smartly sold at the harbor over negligence of the Vice President office and some political figures in the Northern region has been spotted in Walewale of the North East region, the Vice President Alhaji Mahamadu Bawumia own backyard”, Tamale News Agency can report.
“Number of the medical equipment is secured by Hajia Lariba, Member of Parliament for the Walewale constituency. She has donated those equipment which was meant for the Tamale Teaching Hospital and other health facilities in the northern region to hospitals and CHIPS compounds in Walewale”.
“The allegation that the equipment was diverted by powerful people in government has come home to rise, what a shame!
But according to the gender minister, the medical items she recently donated to her constituents was not procured through the auctioning of Zosimli Naas medical items, rather she said the items was given to her by one Dr, Abass from Germany and Euro care.
“I wish to emphasize that the medical equipment in question was not procured through any negligence on the part of the Vice President’s office or any political figure in the Northern Region. Rather, they were generously donated by Dr. Abass from Germany and Euro Care, with the explicit intention of benefiting healthcare facilities in the North East region.
“As a dedicated public servant, I, Honorable Lariba Zuweira Abudu, received this medical equipment in good faith, with a sincere commitment to enhancing healthcare services in my beloved constituency, and the broader North East. At no point did I divert nor receive any equipment intended for the Tamale Teaching Hospital or any other healthcare facility”.
“I hold the principle of responsible journalism in high regard, and any inaccuracies must be promptly corrected to uphold the integrity of the news agency”.
“Failure to rectify this matter may compel me to explore legal avenues to safeguard my reputation and integrity as a Member of Parliament”, she warns.
Story By: Alhassan Yakubu |www.diamondfmonline.com | Ghana.
