Former Deputy Minister for Communications Victoria Lakshmi Hammah has defended Ghana’s First Lady, Lordina Dramani Mahama, following criticism of her English-language delivery during recent public engagements.
Hammah, in a social media post on September 24, 2026, argued that the First Lady should not be judged primarily by her ability to speak flawless English. She wrote that the First Lady’s responsibility is to serve the Ghanaian people rather than demonstrate mastery of the English language.
Her comments followed criticism on social media after clips of Lordina Mahama’s public appearances circulated online, with some users questioning her command of English.
Hammah said Ghana should reconsider what she described as an excessive focus on “good English.” She also described the country’s expectation of flawless spoken English as a “colonial hangover,” arguing that language proficiency should not be the main measure of a public official’s ability to serve.
The former Deputy Communications Minister further referenced her own experience in the Czech Republic, where she said English was not the dominant language, to illustrate her point about communication across different linguistic environments.
Lordina Mahama accompanied President John Dramani Mahama to New York for the 81st United Nations General Assembly in September 2026. The Presidency has also highlighted her participation in high-level engagements focused on women’s health, empowerment and development.
The debate has since generated discussion online about the expectations placed on public officials and spouses of political leaders regarding public speaking, language proficiency and representation.
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