The Ministry of Social Development categorically rejects the reckless, false, and malicious statements of Mr. Nolis Góndola, who is currently separated from his position as director of the National Secretariat for Policies and Development for Afro-Panamanians (Senadap) as a result of an investigation into alleged irregularities in the exercise of his functions.
It is absolutely false that the Minister of Social Development, Beatriz Carles de Arango, requested, neither directly nor indirectly, the appointment of personnel in that state entity.
It is also emphatically denied any suggestion that such appointments were conditional on the appointed persons not performing the functions for which they would be hired.
The Board of Directors of Senadap recommended to the President of the Republic the separation of Mr. Nolis Góndola from his position after receiving formal complaints against him from members of civil society organizations that are part of said board.
Following his separation, Deputy Director Verónica Wharton assumed the leadership of the entity on an interim basis, ensuring institutional continuity while the investigations advance.
Currently, the investigations continue and are conducted by the representatives of the Ministry of Government, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Education, members of the Board of Directors of Senadap.
The Ministry of Social Development regrets the false information and unfounded attacks that seek to divert attention from the facts that are being properly investigated by the corresponding authorities.
