Sunyani West MP defends record after viral mispronunciation in Parliament
The Member of Parliament for Sunyani West, Millicent Amankwaah, has pushed back against critics who mocked her online after a verbal slip during a parliamentary address on the killing of Ghanaian tomato traders in Burkina Faso.
The incident occurred on February 19, 2026, as the MP contributed to a debate on the tragic deaths of eight Ghanaian traders and extended sympathy to their families.
In the course of her remarks, she mistakenly pronounced “bereaved” as “believed”, an error that was swiftly clipped and circulated across social media platforms, attracting ridicule and questions about her competence.
What might otherwise have passed as a minor mistake quickly escalated into a partisan flashpoint, with critics amplifying the clip and supporters accusing opponents of exploiting the moment for political gain.
Responding in a Facebook Live broadcast, Ms Amankwaah expressed frustration at what she described as deliberate attempts to undermine her credibility. Framing her comments as a broader appeal to young people and political actors, she said: “Because I really want us to speak as young ones, let’s call a spade a spade and be truthful to ourselves. No more political entertainment.
“You cannot use anybody’s image to make mockery. When we are talking about topical issues and people make mistakes, after correcting it, you think it’s a platform to undermine the ability, the capability and the potential of the person, then I am sorry. You should go and ask of my records,” she said.
The MP argued that a single mispronunciation should not overshadow her performance in office or her previous leadership experience. “As a former SRC Women’s Commissioner of KNUST, I am not someone these things can break. If this is the path you have taken, then please, you have a very long way to go,” she added.
Positioning herself as resilient and determined, she continued: “I am not going to shut this mouth that thousands of people voted for me to come to the chamber to express my views. I am equally capable and can deliver better within four years. I am not a coward. I am a young, vibrant woman.”
Ms Amankwaah also suggested that the backlash may be politically motivated, particularly with an eye on the next general election cycle. “So, whoever is making mockery of that few statements I made, and they think that because of political affiliation it is a platform to destroy my image and pave way for their candidate in 2028, let me say this: 2028 belongs to God.
“And so far as we are children of God, and I am a strong child of God, there is nothing that will be beyond my scope of knowledge,” she declared.
Honorable Millicent Amankwaah, Member of Parliament for Sunyani West,after facing criticism from social media users over a mistake she made on the floor of Parliament, has taken to Facebook Live to address the concerns and respond directly to the public regarding the incident. pic.twitter.com/sUSR0fwIr8
— Enoch Kojo Appiagyei (@AhenkanEnoch) February 19, 2026
Express her condolences to the “BELIEVED” families??
— Gen. Buhari (@Gen_Buhari_) February 19, 2026
What kind of English is this? She’s an MP oooooo! Herrr NDC paaaa deɛ borla party ooo. 🤣🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/UFJDDlt2nn
