Francisca Oteng Mensah, the deputy minister for gender, children, and social protection, claims that the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice's (CHRAJ) recent exoneration of her from accusations of a conflict of interest in the purchase of COVID-19 Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and hand sanitizers while she served as the board chair of the National Youth Authority (NYA) has strengthened her resolve to help the people of Ghana and to take decisive action.
Speaking to journalists for the first time following the Commission's publication of its findings earlier this month, Mrs. Oteng Mensah claimed that CHRAJ's decision to exonerate her of all charges was not only a confirmation of her innocence of the accusations made against her but also a step in the right direction.
"I am relieved that the truth has finally out and that the CHRAJ has cleared me of all charges. This entire incident has been difficult for me, but it has only reaffirmed my desire to keep doing all in my power to serve my country and my constituents.
"I am more determined than ever to fulfil my responsibilities as the Deputy Minister for Women. I will keep pushing for the advancement and empowerment of women in Ghana, and I implore all Ghanaians to join me in this endeavour," she stated.
Ismail Mohammed filed a complaint with CHRAJ on January 28, 2021, saying that Mrs. Oteng Mensah, in her capacity as the board chairperson of A board meeting chaired by the NYA allocated GH3 million for the purchase of PPEs for the battle against COVID-19.
The complainant claimed that hand sanitizers were purchased from Adonko Bitters Ltd, a division of the Angel Group of Businesses, a limited liability firm controlled by Mrs. Oteng Mensah and her biological father, Mr. Kweku Oteng, at her direction at the board meeting for more than GH700,000. The action, according to the complaint, constituted a conflict of interest.
Nevertheless, CHRAJ dismissed the charges in its report, which was signed by the Commissioner, Joseph Whittal, and made public on February 2, 2023, on the grounds that they lacked substance since commission investigations and the information presented did not support the claim of a conflict of interest.
In response, Ms. Oteng Mensah, a Deputy Gender Minister and Member of Parliament (MP) for Kwabre East in the Ashanti Region, thanked the Commission for clearing her name and said that the exoneration will only spur her on to do more in her position.
She expressed gratitude to President Akufo-Addo, the NPP's leadership, and her people for their continuous support and encouragement during the inquiry and reaffirmed her commitment to serving the country with honesty and determination.
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