The Upper East Regional Minister, Stephen Yakubu, has come under fire from the women’s wing of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), in the Nabdam Constituency over his comments that suggests the 24 hour economy being proposed by Former President John Dramani Mahama will affect how men spend quality time with their wives at night.
They believe that the comments by the minister reduces women to objects of sexual gratification and not a human resource base deserving of equal opportunities.
According to the Nabdam NDC Women, women in Nabdam, Upper East Region and Ghana as a whole, play diverse roles in areas such as agriculture, trading and craftsmanship in weaving textiles, baskets, pottery amongst others.
Mr. Yakubu, addressing a gathering at this year’s Tenge Legbre Festival at Sakote held over the weekend, made comments to the effect that a 24-hour economy will affect how men spend time with their wives at night.
It is on this basis that the Nabdam NDC Women hold the view that the narrative should not reduce women to sex objects but rather project the enormous contributions and strides women in Ghana are making.
Addressing a news conference, the NDC Nabdam Constituency Women’s Organizer, Leticia Yamga, noted that attention should rather be paid to how the 24-hour economy can ensure more women are productively engaged.
She stated that at a time the world is seeking equal opportunities for individuals regardless of their gender, an individual occupying a key position such as regional minister should not be seen and heard making comments that are retrogressive.
“Recent comments by the Upper East Regional Minister have cast a shadow on these achievements, implying that women are merely objects of sexual exploitation. Such remarks are not only disheartening but also perpetuate harmful stereotypes,” she said.
“It is concerning that the Upper East Regional Minister did not address pressing matters such as the high unemployment rate in the region and the country but rather chose to focus on the 24-hour economy initiative. This selective attention detracts from the substantive issues at hand”.
They are therefore, demanding an apology from the regional minister adding his comments perpetuate harmful stereotypes.
“We call upon the Upper East Regional Minister to retract his statement and issue an unambiguous apology to the women of the Nabdam Constituency, Upper East Region and the entirety of Ghana”.
