Akufo-Addo’s lack of ‘dynamism’ claim about women surprising – FIDA

The Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) has described as surprising comments about Ghanaian women by President Akufo-Addo at the Women Deliver Conference in Canada.

According to Irene Abochi Nyahe, Executive Member of FIDA, some with good understanding of the population dynamics of the country and its impact on development should make the kind of comments Mr. Akufo-Addo made at the conference.

The President in his contribution at the Women Deliver Conference in Canada said he is yet to see dynamism in Ghanaian women.

“We are not seeing enough dynamism and activism on the part of those who are seeking. I am talking about dynamism where it matters…electing people to Parliament, controlling political parties because they are the instruments by which our societies make decisions.

“We are talking about decisions, not wishes and hopes, we are talking about decisions that are going to make the difference,” the President said.

Speaking to Francis Abban on the Morning Starr Thursday, Abochi Nyahe said FIDA is stunned by the comments of the President.

“We are surprised to say the least. In any case if you understand the development of the country, you don’t need to make such statement. If 51 percent of the country is made of women, you don’t need to marginalize such a population.

“We have a culture that undermines women that relegates them to the background. The narrative has changed in recent times. Where is the Affirmative Action bill? We need to respect women and know that they can do a lot,” she said.

Also, Former Gender Minister Nana Oye Lithur says the President’s comment made her cry.

“President Akufo-Addo made me cry, I cried when I watched the video. To have a human rights lawyer speak and address gender issues in the way he addressed, very regrettable. He couldn’t even get his data right. Even the representation of women in his cabinet, he couldn’t get that right”.