Gender Minister-designate Otiko Afisa Djaba says she felt disappointed when the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) set up to drive development in the three regions of the North was beset with challenges.

"The issue of SADA affected me and the people of the North," she told members of Parliament's Appointments Committee Monday.

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'We will tackle issue of child labour seriously' - Otiko

The Gender Minister-designate said the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) would treat the issue of child labour in the country seriously.

Otiko Afisa Djaba said the Ministry would work with other state institutions to undertake some education and advocacy works.

"We are going to look at this in fishing areas and galamsey areas," she told Parliament's Appointments Committee Monday.

Ghana's record in the area of child labour is everything, but encouraging. Children of school-going age are used in fishing and harvesting of cocoa.

A report by Tulane University collected between 2013 and 2014 estimated 918, 543 child labourers in the country with 5 to 17 as the age range.

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I don't owe Mahama any apology for 'unsavory' comments - Otiko

Gender Minister-designate, Otiko Afisa Djaba has said she owes former President John Mahama no apology for some 'unsavory' comments she made about him.

She said she hails from the same Region as the former Ghanaian leader and has the right to subject his actions to scrutiny.

"I owe former President John Mahama no apology," she told members of Parliament's Appointments Committee Monday.

Madam Afisa Djaba is reported to have made some scathing comments about former President Mahama in the line up to the 2016 general elections.

“He has the heart of the devil,” she had said of the former leader, adding "He is a violent person.."

Asked if she would like to apologise for her comments, Madam Afisa Djaba said she has no apology to render.

"The President is my brother and I spoke from my conviction," she said.

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School feeding caterers will be paid soon - Otiko

Caterers who provide services to government's School Feeding Programme would be paid in the coming days, Gender Minister-designate, Otiko Afisa Djaba has said.

Speaking before Parliament's Appointments Committee Monday, she said there were some challenges in the signing of the cheque, which has led to delay in payment.

The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) Women Organiser registered her disappointment with the delay but promised she would speed up the process.