Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has urged the Minister of Bono Region, Evelyn Ama Kumi Richardson, whose ministerial appointment generated controversy in Parliament, to work hard to shame those who opposed her nomination.

The President administered the swearing in of the Bono Regional Minister and the Minister of the Oti Region, Mr. Kwasi Owusu Yeboah at the Jubilee House in Accra yesterday and expressed confidence in Ms Richardson’s ability to help develop the region.

Ms Richardson’s nomination generated controversy in Parliament, with the Minority opposing her approval. They raised issues with her certificates and urged the House to reject her approval.

However, the lawmakers, through a secret ballot last week, voted in her favour by 124 votes, out of a total of 210 votes.

President Akufo-Addo entreated Ms Richardson to put the controversy in Parliament behind her, work hard to justify the confidence reposed in her by the House, and shame those who opposed her nomination.

“I have heard a lot about you, when you were a District Chief Executive,” the President said and expressed his unwavering confidence in her ability to deliver.

President Akufo-Addo advised the Oti Regional Minister, who has been appointed as the pioneer minister of the region to make himself available and accessible to his people to justify the purpose of the creation of the region.

According to him, residents in the region voted overwhelmingly in support of the creation of the new region because they wanted to have close contact with the government and advised the new minister to help take governance close to the people.

President Akufo-Addo recounted his past work relations with Mr Yeboah and expressed confidence in his ability to help the government’s efforts towards the development and prosperity of the region.

Speaking on their behalf, Mr Yeboah said they were aware of the enormity of the task ahead and had braced themselves to keep up with the pace of the government’s efforts towards the development of the two regions.