Stop Belittling and Denigrating the Ability and Competency of African Women!

In the Holy Bible, it is stated that God created man before a woman. Many people do not understand why God took this action but I believe He might have used man as a rough draft before coming out with the final masterpiece, in this case the woman. This clearly shows how unique and precious women are. A woman is the epitome of tenderness, care and wisdom. Women’s contribution to nation building cannot be over-emphasized. This could be seen in all sectors of the African economy – agriculture, health, education, public service, trade, among others. Although, women constitute over fifty percent (50%) of the world’s active population, the number of women in politics leaves much to be desired. Besides, women continue to face discrimination, abuses and prejudice. This unfortunate situation therefore calls for more pragmatic policies geared towards gender equality in all spheres of life so that the livelihood of the African woman could be improved. In his Inaugural Address in June 2000, at the UN Session in Beijing, our own Kofi Annan who was the then UN Secretary General remarked; “the future of this planet depends on women”. The implication is that without women, development and the survival of the human race will remain elusive.

The onus therefore lies on the various political parties in Africa and more especially, Ghana to ensure that the welfare and empowerment of the Ghanaian woman feature prominently in their plans, policies and programmes. But what is the current situation in Africa now? Apart from the president of Liberia, Her Excellency, Ellis Johnson, men have dominated the topmost political positions in Africa. The situation in Ghana under Mills-Mahama administration, as far as the record, policies, programmes and attitude of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) towards women is very pathetic. The NDC claims to be a democratic party and thus believes in the tenets of democracy yet the response of the party’s functionaries to the recent resignation of Mrs. Rawlings and her intention to contest the sitting President for the party’s flag-bearership slot cuts a slur on the party’s credibility. But why should this happen to a woman of Nana Konadu’s calibre? Is Konadu’s case not a clear manifestation of the ruling P/NDC’s negative attitude towards the generality of Ghanaian women? Is it because Mrs. Rawlings lacks the qualities of a good leader? Is it because Konadu, together with her husband, illegally acquired state assets? Is it because she was once said she regretted being born an Asante? Is it because she wants to give more identification hair cuts to men who date her daughters? Is it because she wants to act as a conduit for her husband, J.J. Rawlings to rule the Ghana once again and cause more mayhem? Is it because Nana Konadu wants to buy more Jacuzzis or is it because she has unfinished business of making the rich and the poor equal? Ghanaians would like to know from Nana Konadu’s detractors.

Still in Ghana, one can look at the horrible and despicable treatment of women during the Rawlings’ AFRC/PNDC era with deep emotions. Whilst many married and unmarried women were stripped naked and given lashes, others were raped, some had their businesses and assets confiscated and an uncountable number of them killed. The abduction and killing of Mrs. Cecelia Koranteng-Addo who was nursing a baby is still fresh in the minds of her fellow women. Again, between 1997 and 2000 under the Rawlings-Mills administration, over 34 innocent women were mysteriously murdered and no pragmatic action was taken to arrest the perpetrators of these callous murders. How could the NDC therefore convince Ghanaians that it is a party that has the requisite capacity to ensure the safety and protection of women? The mere introduction of the Cash and Carry System – a killer health policy as well as the pulling down of the Makola Market in Accra shows the uncaring nature of the NDC towards women’s issues.

In fact, our hard working women do not need a rocket scientist to show them how their socio-economic and political situations have deteriorated over the last two years.  The President of the Republic of Ghana, Prof. John Mills promised to give 40% ministerial appointments to women but ended up with only 11%. Asked why 11% and not the 40% promised, Mills had this to say; “Ghanaian women are not interested in politics”. Since John Mills undeservedly became the leader of Ghana, not a single policy or programme has been designed to empower our Ghanaian women politically, socially and economically and this is evident in the introduction of new taxes, high interest rates which discourage potential borrowers as well as the abnormal increase in utility tariffs.

In addition, some of the Ministers under his mediocre government have been so rude to our women to the extent that they brand female politicians as prostitutes. I hope John Jinapor – the vice president’s Spokesperson and Hannah Bissiw – the Cuban trained specialist in the welfare of ants, cockroaches, dogs, snakes, mosquitoes and other animals are listening. Surprisingly, Akua Sena Dansua whose home region houses the 3,500 Trokosi slaves could not even use her position as Minister of Women and Children’s Affairs to free these innocent women and girls from this bondage. In the end Akua Dansua whose primary up to tertiary education was funded by the tax payer, had the gut to advise some female students not to prolong their education all because it poses a threat to their marriage. Today, all the executive members of the NDC, together with government appointees have been attacking the former first lady with disrespect. Her crime? Her readiness and willingness to contest against a lame-duck President. For instance, the Eastern Regional Chairman of the NDC, Julius Debrah describes Mrs. Rawlings’ action as rubbish and that NDC members and sympathizers are not “Zombis”. The Communications Minister, Haruna Iddrisu argues that Ghanaians are not ready for a female president yet he fails to tell us when the time will be due. Is it not a case of the Minister belittling and denigrating the ability and competency of Ghanaian women? Kwesi Pratt, a die-hard unofficial member of the NDC says he would use all the necessary means to prevent Nana Konadu from becoming a president in Ghana. The General Secretary of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketia believes the NDC party is not like a one-man church. So my mothers, nieces and sisters; is the National Democratic Congress not an anti-women?

It is in the light of the above that I urge all African leaders to follow the pragmatic steps taken by the former president of Ghana, His Excellency, J.A. Kufuor in addressing women’s issues. Under his New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) administration between 2001 and 2008, a new ministry known as the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs was created and it was raised to Cabinet status to ensure that all official policy gave consideration to women’s interest. In effect, not only did domestic violence and child trafficking decrease, but also gender equality was enhanced in Ghana. The fear and panic that gripped Ghana prior to the 2000 general elections under Rawlings and his puppet, John Mills, where thirty four (34) women were serially killed, vanished into thin air in 2001 after the arrest of one Charles Quansah who confessed to have killed 8 out of the 34 murdered women. President Kufour appointed 25% of women into his administration and Ms Elizabeth Ohene, one of the influential women in Ghana’s contemporary politics emerged as the first appointee of Kufuor. Again, a Free Maternal Care policy which enabled pregnant women to have access to free medical care was in fruition, there was the introduction of National Health Insurance Scheme as well as the capitation grant which reduced the financial burden of parents on their children’s education.

Having realised that majority of women were more dominant in the Private Sector, especially petty trading, the NPP government set up the Micro Finance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), where micro credit was extended to women who engaged in economic activities with the view to reducing poverty levels and vulnerability. The Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) policy which enabled the aged and vulnerable to access between GHS 8.00 and GHS 15.00 was very commendable. Besides, the party strategically put in place measures to ensure that more females represented their constituents in the 2008 parliamentary elections. Consequently fifteen (15) female Members of Parliament in Ghana won parliamentary elections on NPP tickets as against four (4) by the ruling NDC and one (1) from the CPP respectively.

In winding up, I would add that if it is generally accepted that the successful development of any nation basically depends on the expansion of individual human opportunities; and the involvement of the masses in the development process including women who form majority of Africa’s population, then efforts must be made to eliminate all cultural, religious, legal and economic constraints that hinder the full participation of women in self and national development in order to maximize their productivity and that of the nation. In this endeavour, I appeal to all women to join hands with the political party that has proven by words and deeds that it has the welfare of women at heart. Besides, the women themselves who are the ‘victims’ of injustices must become ‘activists’. They should not be passive, silent, submissive and adapted until the necessary changes are made. On this note, I exhort Obaapa Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings to be resolute in her quest to become the flag-bearer of the NDC in the upcoming congress. The voice of Friends of Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings (FONKAR) is the voice of the NDC, so Nana Konadu go, go, go high. Who knows you could become the next Yaa Asantewaa of Ashanti and Ghana? I can’t wait to see NANA of NDC versus NANA of NPP in Election 2012. It will be “All die be die”.

God bless Ghana! African women!!  God bless Kufuor!!!

Katakyie Kwame Opoku Agyemang, Hull. UK

katakyienpp@yahoo.co.uk 07944309859

“Vision, coupled with persistency, results in true success”