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Serwaa Amihere criticizes Greater Accra Regional Minister Linda Ocloo over 'punishment' transfer remarks
via GhanaWeb2 min read
Ghanaian media personality Serwaa Amihere has criticized the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo, following the minister’s controversial remarks suggesting that transfers to northern Ghana could be used as a form of punishment. Amihere questioned the minister’s apology, calling it "bogus" and stating that Parliament failed in its duty by approving the minister without thorough vetting. She dismissed claims that her criticism was due to opposition to women in leadership, insisting her concerns were based solely on the minister’s comments. The controversy arose from remarks Linda Ocloo made on May 5, 2026, during a demolition exercise at the Sakumono Ramsar Site, where she warned officials against issuing permits for illegal structures, noting that some officials engaging in misconduct had been transferred to northern Ghana as punishment. This comment triggered widespread backlash, with many Ghanaians finding it offensive. Linda Ocloo issued a public apology on May 5, 2026, explaining her statement as a "genuine slip in communication" that did not reflect her personal views or government policy. She clarified that she intended to refer to officers being reassigned to areas far from their residences and admitted her wording created a wrong impression, offering an unreserved apology to all Ghanaians, especially those in the Northern Regions.
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