6 things you didn’t know about Otiko Afisa Djaba

pulse-ghana admin

February 12, 2017 1:09 PM

Otiko’s mother’s brother is John Mahama’s father, and more about Ghana's new Gender minister.

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But who really is Otiko Afisa Djaba?

Former president John Mahama is her cousin

Otiko’s mother’s brother is John Mahama’s father. So she is closely related to the very man she described as having the devil’s heart. Mahama is not only the relative of Otiko who is a leading member of the opposition National Democratic Congress. Former deputy minister of Transport, Joyce Bawa, is the half-sister of Otiko Djaba. They have the same mother.

Her father’s link to the NPP

Henry Djaba, was the chairman of the Ghana Football Association, when Dr Kofi Busia was the Prime Minister of Ghana. His overthrow in 1972 brought untold hardship and persecution to all those associated with his government including Otiko’s father, Henry. It explains why she decided to join the New Patriotic Party, an offspring of Dr Busia’s United Party.

Life in UK

Henry Djaba fled to the UK with his children, including Otiko. In 1979, the military regime led by J.J Rawlings sentenced Henry Djaba to 10 years in prison in his absence. This meant that the Djabas could not return to Ghana for many years.

Otiko in the media

Otiko created and helped produce the children’s program, Kokrookoo, that aired on the public broadcaster Ghana Broadcasting Corporation.

University of Development Studies

Otiko Afisa attended the University of Development Studies and finished in 2009 when she was 47 years old. However, it is unclear why she has still not graduated. She explained to the Vetting Committee of Parliament that the school is yet to put her results together.

Otiko the polyglot

Otiko is the quintessential Ghanaian polyglot. She speaks about nine languages, eight of them are indigenous. They are English, Twi, Ga, Fante, Krobo, Wala, Hausa, Gonja and Dagbani.

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