First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo has come under intense backlash on social media after confronting Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Deputy Minority Leader in Parliament, following the State of the Nation Address.
Rebecca Akufo-Addo, wife of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, appeared visibly displeased by the strong criticism of her husband's performance over the last eight years, delivered by Armah-Kofi Buah.
The Deputy Minority Leader, speaking after the President’s final State of the Nation Address on Friday, January 2025, did not hold back in his assessment of President Akufo-Addo’s leadership.
He condemned the outgoing president for failing to effectively govern the country, describing his tenure as a “timely reminder of how not to govern a country.”
“Let me remind His Excellency that his tenure in office will remain a timely reminder of how not to govern a country,” he stated.
He also pointed to the December 2024 elections, claiming that the overwhelming vote against Akufo-Addo's government was a reflection of his poor performance.
“This abysmal record was confirmed on December 7th when the people of Ghana delivered the most overwhelming and emphatic vote of rejection any government has ever witnessed in the Fourth Republic. This abysmal record was confirmed on December 7th when the people of Ghana delivered the most overwhelming and emphatic vote of rejection any government has ever witnessed in the Fourth Republic.
“Mr. President, 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. You left something very important out of your account, your promise to God to build a cathedral. But, Mr. President, I will leave that between you and your God,” he said.
But Rebecca Akufo-Addo’s response to the criticisms against her husband has sparked massive criticism.
Netizens have accused her of being overly confrontational, questioning whether it was appropriate for the First Lady to intervene in parliamentary discourse.
Critics defended Armah-Kofi Buah's comments, pointing to the democratic right to free expression in the country.
They argued that his statements were right, given the context of his position as an elected representative.
Others, however, defended that the First Lady’s reaction was a result of her overwhelming emotions, given the sensitive nature of the criticism directed at her husband.
Read some of the reactions from netizens below:
Just look at the posture of the First Lady. So how could any of the party members tell Nana Addo he was messing up?
— Anum Dzata (@okpotimajor) January 3, 2025
The first time she’s heard the truth in 8 years. https://t.co/YRJ7w1RSTM
— C-Real (@C_RealMC) January 3, 2025
Nobody really tells that man about himself in their circle 🤣 https://t.co/ydPLyMspkP
— Motherfucker Jones (@kofi_233) January 3, 2025
Some persons truly can't take a quarter of what they dish! https://t.co/R9ge4q04hu
— Kwaku Asante (@kwakuasanteb) January 3, 2025
First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo was seen to be angered as she turned down a hand gesture from the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kinvsford Bagbin.
— The1957News (@The1957News) January 3, 2025
In the video, she’s subtly heard saying “You sit there and allow people people speak to anyhow.... “ pic.twitter.com/sRR2livqgG
We didn't vote for any first lady so someone tell Rebecca Akufo-Addo that her husband, the one we voted for, is the worst thing to happen to Ghana and e no be just about the presidency. He's the wortst to have plagued Ghana. He's set us back over a decade. These are the facts.
— Joe🇬🇭 (@Papa_Of0ri) January 3, 2025
It was all giggles for her when the husband was jabbing Mahama with “alcohol remarks” in that same chamber before the elections. Now dier you can’t stand the truth about your husband. https://t.co/c8BUBk3vQZ
— Senyó (@Twin_Senyo) January 3, 2025
Please pardon our beautiful Rebecca for the avoidable outburst. It is not easy to hear daily and perhaps forever, that your husband failed terribly as president and the worst since Ghana was founded.
— Franklin CUDJOE (@lordcudjoe) January 4, 2025
That video with the First Lady really kills me bro. They really hate being told how horrible they’ve been. And it’s funny because honestly, by all metrics, theyve been horrible. Like i don’t know if it’s just our culture but other countries would openly call them out way more…
— Weffrey Jellington (@jeffwellz) January 3, 2025
We didn't vote for any first lady so someone tell Rebecca Akufo-Addo that her husband, the one we voted for, is the worst thing to happen to Ghana and e no be just about the presidency. He's the wortst to have plagued Ghana. He's set us back over a decade. These are the facts.
— Joe🇬🇭 (@Papa_Of0ri) January 3, 2025
Guys listen very carefully, the first lady question Mr Emmanuel Buah the deputy minority leader for calling the president a failure only for Afenyo markins to intervene and apologise😂😂Bye Bye Ghanaians are done with you guys opposition for 30 years is possible. 😂 pic.twitter.com/VeGS1jHX5K
— Berk_TopForm🕊️ (@Berk_TopForm) January 3, 2025
She’s part of the problem. Her husband was not called a “bad president” enough to his face that’s why we are here as a nation https://t.co/GMhFwatblG
— First Lady (@mayfred__) January 3, 2025
"You just sit there and let people speak to you……” What exactly did the First Lady expect the President to do in that moment? It's evident that the arrogance and entitlement run deep within their household. Goodbye, Mr. President, and good riddance to you and your family. pic.twitter.com/V9koErKfAA
— nuacoo nunoo (@nuacoo_nunoo) January 4, 2025
the First Lady heard the diplomatic version of what Ghanaians think of her husband. make she enter streets go hear what the people think
— h (@amintheother) January 4, 2025
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