'Sam George should learn how to speak to women' - Janet Nabla

National Chairperson of the People's National Party (PNP), Janet Asana Nabla, has criticised the conduct of Communications Minister Samuel Nartey George during his recent heated exchange with Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Chairperson Abena Osei-Asare on May 18, 2026.

Speaking on Joy Prime on May 19, 2026, Janet Nabla expressed surprise at the manner in which Sam George engaged the female lawmaker during proceedings of the Public Accounts Committee.

“You see, I’m surprised that Honourable Sam George was arguing with a woman. We all know that in Ghana and in Africa, respecting women is something that we don’t joke about,” she stated.

According to her, men are expected to exercise emotional restraint, especially during tense exchanges involving women.

“At times, maybe she may be right or wrong, but as a man, you are supposed to have the emotional control over yourself, so that when a woman is shouting and the voice is up, you just keep quiet and listen,” she added.

Janet Nabla further referenced former presidential candidate Bernard Mornah, describing him as an example of someone who communicated strongly without raising his voice.

“I used to tell people that Bernard Mornah would never raise his voice, but would say things that would pain you in a very gentle manner,” she said.

She argued that women in leadership and public life often face intimidation and heightened scrutiny, making it important for male colleagues to approach disagreements with sensitivity.

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“The chair is a woman, and we women, we know the difficulties we face in the public, especially in the limelight,” she explained.

According to her, women sometimes perceive aggressive exchanges from male colleagues as attempts to intimidate them, even if that may not be the intention.

“When you come out strongly and you’re a woman, they try to intimidate. So wherever we are, we also have that at the back of our mind,” she noted.

Nabla suggested that Sam George should have toned down his approach once tensions began escalating during the interaction with Abena Osei-Asare.

“So, I’m saying that because Abena came in, he should have just calmed down,” she stated.

The exchange between Sam George and Abena Osei-Asare during the PAC sitting has sparked widespread public debate, with several political figures weighing in on the conduct of both lawmakers.

VPO