Accra, Ghana — Tensions flared in Ghana’s Parliament on Friday, January 2025, as First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo confronted Deputy Minority Leader Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah over his scathing critique of her husband, President Nana Akufo-Addo. The heated exchange followed the President’s final State of the Nation Address before he exits office on December 7.
The confrontation unfolded as the First Lady left the chamber, visibly displeased with Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah’s remarks. The MP for Ellembele had used his post-address comments to deliver a scathing assessment of the President’s eight-year tenure, labeling it a failure and a cautionary tale in governance.
“Let me remind His Excellency that his tenure in office will remain a timely reminder of how not to govern a country,” Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah said, adding that the President’s alleged shortcomings were reflected in the December elections, which he described as “the most overwhelming and emphatic vote of rejection” in the nation’s Fourth Republic.
The Deputy Minority Leader also accused the President of reckless borrowing and fiscal mismanagement, referencing Ghana’s strained relationship with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). “You will be remembered as the first President who was cautioned by the IMF when you began, and you are still being cautioned at the end of your term,” he noted.
Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah’s comments took a personal turn when he mentioned the President’s unfulfilled promise to build a national cathedral, leaving the matter “between [the President] and [his] God.”
First Lady Reacts
The First Lady did not mince words in her response. A video circulating on the social media platform X shows Mrs. Akufo-Addo angrily addressing Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah as she exited the chamber. Eyewitnesses noted her frustration as she gestured and spoke animatedly to the MP, who appeared taken aback by the unexpected confrontation.
In a separate incident, another video captured Mrs. Akufo-Addo briefly walking out on the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin. As she exited, she could be heard expressing her displeasure, stating, “You sit there and allow people to speak anyhow.”
Political Fallout
The exchange has sparked widespread discussion across Ghana, with opinions divided along political lines. Supporters of the First Lady praised her for defending the President’s legacy, while critics accused her of overstepping her role and undermining parliamentary decorum.
The President’s tenure has been a contentious topic, with critics pointing to economic challenges and stalled infrastructure projects. Supporters, however, highlight achievements in education and health reforms, insisting his leadership has laid a foundation for future growth.
As President Akufo-Addo prepares to leave office, the polarized reactions to Friday’s events underscore the deep political and social divides that will shape the country’s next chapter.
