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13.12.2014 Politics

Daboya MP Is Dangerous—Otiko

By Daily Guide
Daboya MP Is Dangerous—Otiko
13.12.2014 LISTEN

 Nelson Abudu Baani and Otiko Afisah Djaba
New Patriotic Party (NPP) Women's Organisers in the three Northern Regions have unanimously called on the Member of Parliament (MP) for Daboya, Nelson Abudu Baani, to relinquish his place in Parliament for showing grave disrespect towards womanhood in Ghana, especially those in his constituency.

The Women's Organisers, drawn from all the constituencies from the Northern, Upper West and Upper East Regions, made the call when Otiko Afisah Djaba, National Women's Organiser and her two newly appointed deputies visited them.

The women expressed anger at the MP for singling out women as perpetrators of immoral conducts and prescribing an outmoded punishment which a lot of right-thinking members of the society have since condemned.

'We are not in any way encouraging women to go behind their husbands to engage in conducts that are immoral and repugnant to the society in general, but we are appalled by the pious and saintly posture of some of our men like Hon Nelson Baani who believe that women are the worst creatures on earth. Is it not a fact that many men who travel on official duties travel around with young girls as old as their children, including some Members of Parliament? Do we have to stone them to death as well or men can engage in immoral and pungent conducts and get away with them because they are men?' the women asked.

It would be recalled that the MP for Daboya had asked that married women who engage in extra marital affairs should be stoned to death; and in spite of the public condemnation of his utterances, he has refused to apologise to Ghanaian women.

Ms Otiko Djaba stated that the wellbeing and progress of all females in Ghana is endangered when in spite of all the efforts that the country has made in eliminating all forms of discrimination against women since February 1986 when the country signed the CEDAW, the MP for Daboya has introduced the implementation of the much feared Sharia law into our national discourse.

His comments, in the view of Otiko Djaba, do not demonstrate a commitment to the oath he swore as a Member of Parliament.

'Indeed Mr Nelson Abudu Baani's 'stoning and hanging adulterous wives' comments are offensive, vexatious and inconsistent with the very spirit and principles of the Ghanaian Constitution which he has sworn to defend and protect.  No leader of this country must subvert, abuse or take for granted the sovereign will of our people, the rule of law and the protection and preservation of Fundamental Human Rights and Freedoms, Unity and Stability for our Nation.  'We need to seriously question the integrity of legislator Baani who has blatantly ignored and disrespected the very tenets that the Ghanaian society is built on.  What is he doing in Ghana's Parliament today?' she asked.

Otiko Djaba noted that Ghana has been acclaimed as the beacon of democracy in Sub-Saharan Africa and that as the global world is watching Ghana, it is important to know which direction the Daboya MP is shaping our thinking and our laws with this archaic, barbaric and chauvinistic mindset about the daughters of mother Ghana.

She asked whether the thinking of the MP was the policy direction of the NDC Government on women.

'Is he asking us to stone his mother, daughter, niece and aunts as well if they commit adultery?  Where will we draw the line?  These are urgent and serious times for the journey women in Ghana have travelled thus far in our quest for equity and partnership in national development.'

She condemned the silence of the Minister for Gender and Social Protection regarding the irresponsible statement made by the MP.

Otiko Djaba stated further that stoning or hanging anyone for any offence—be it a female or male—is wrong, wicked and unacceptable, adding that  it is not an option for any democracy and it is not for Ghana.

'We do not need these archaic, barbaric and dark age laws in mother Ghana after all the advances and strides we have made in protecting the rights and freedoms of all, including women.'

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