Nadowli-Kaleo Member of Parliament, Alban Bagbin has apologized for his comments against persons with disability.
He says says he takes full responsibility, but added that his comments were misconstrued and not meant to disparage persons with disabilities.
Mr. Bagbin who is also the Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament now vying to lead NDC in the 2020 general elections, at a campaign tour of the Volta Region, blamed the 2016 defeat of the NDC at the doorstep of former President Mahama for appointing Dr Seidu Danaa, who is visually impaired; as Chieftaincy Minister. Bagin said it was in contrast with Ghanaian culture.
He added that, Dr. Omane Boamah who had speech difficulties was also made a Communications Minister and therefore could not communicate well with the masses, hence the NDC’s loss in 2016.
However Bagbin’s comments have received condemnation from several quarters including one from former President JJ Rawlings and Ghana federation of disability.
Addressing a press conference, Bagbin apologized, especially to persons living with disabilities for his comments explaining however that he did not seek to denigrate persons with disabilities.
Bagbin said he rather praised the former ministers and did not mean to demean the caliber of persons they are. The Nawdowli-Kaloe MP added that he least expected his comments to cause emotions to rise among a section of the public and that he had been misconstrued by his opponents for political gains.
