Member of Parliament for Ahafo Ano South East, Yakubu Mohammed, has publicly apologised and pledged to personally seek forgiveness from a primary school pupil and her family after comments he made during a visit to Parliament triggered widespread criticism.
The legislator acknowledged that his remarks, which were captured in a video that circulated widely on social media, were inappropriate and caused discomfort to the child, her family and many members of the public, particularly women.
Speaking after the backlash, Mr Mohammed expressed deep regret over the incident and accepted full responsibility for his actions.
“It is something that I am truly sorry for, and I don’t think it will happen again. Irrespective of everything, I will be cautious,” he said.
Beyond the public apology, the MP revealed that he has begun arrangements to make a personal visit to the school attended by the pupil. According to him, he is working through the Member of Parliament for the constituency where the school is located to facilitate a meeting with the child and her family so he can apologise to them directly.
Mr Mohammed said the experience has underscored the need for greater caution in his public interactions and assured Ghanaians that he is committed to ensuring such an incident does not recur.
The controversy arose after a video showed the MP interacting with a group of schoolchildren during a visit to Parliament. In the footage, he complimented one of the pupils, saying:
“You are very beautiful; when you grow up, I will marry you, so she is my wife. In future she will also be an MP.”
The remarks quickly attracted criticism across social media, where many users argued that public officials should exercise greater care and sensitivity when speaking to children. The incident has since fuelled broader discussions about appropriate conduct by leaders during engagements with minors and the importance of safeguarding children in public spaces.
Mr Mohammed’s apology and decision to personally meet the pupil and her family represent his latest effort to address concerns raised by the incident and rebuild public confidence following the backlash.
