‘I grew up in the kitchen’ - Spio Garbrah

If we needed any more proof that certain roles are not naturally assigned to only men or women in Ghana, Dr Spio Garbrah just gave us some.

In an interview with Ghanaweb at the 91st Founders’ Day durbar of the Achimota School, where he is an alumnus, the former Trade and Industry minister revealed that “I happen to have … grown up in the kitchen,” referring to his growing up period with only females at home.

He recalled that at a young age, his mother taught him to sew all his clothes, torn buttons, adding that “I’ve done many things that women are thought to be the ones to do but I don’t think that is the role of a woman.”

Dr Spio Garbrah’s revelations dispute the common assertion that women belong in the kitchen and certain roles can only be assigned to them while men provide for the household.

At a time when the argument remains heated on gender roles and the place of women in society, Dr Spio Garbrah’s comment comes as an enlightening twist even if we have heard of men cooking in the past.

The former trade and industry minister said that The Achimota School encouraged mingling and academic competition on the same level among both sexes.

“At the end of the day, it is not your gender or sex, per say, that is the difference,” he added.

He has also claimed that his alma mater pioneered women empowerment in Ghana.