GFL slams 'Micro Minority Leader' over 'nobody' comments targeting Nana Yaa Jantuah

The Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL) has condemned remarks by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin describing Senior Presidential Staffer Nana Yaa Akyenpim Jantuah as "nobody," characterising the comments as disrespectful and an attack on women in leadership.

The comments were made during the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) presentation of its "Democracy Under Attack" petition at the Presidency, where Mr Afenyo-Markin questioned the decision to designate Nana Yaa Jantuah to receive the petition on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama.

Reacting to the incident, GFL Secretary General Abraham Koomson said the Minority Leader's remarks undermined not only the Presidency but also the progress Ghana has made in promoting women into positions of leadership.

Speaking in an interview with the media, Mr Koomson described the comments as a direct affront to women in public service.

“To reduce a senior presidential staffer, a woman who serves at the highest level of government, to ‘nobody’ is not just an attack on an individual; it is a direct attack on women, on merit, and on the principle of equal representation we have fought so hard to build,” he said.

According to the GFL, the language used by the Minority Leader sends the wrong signal at a time when the country is encouraging greater female participation in governance, organised labour and civil society.

Mr Koomson noted that describing a public official as "nobody" diminishes the individual's contribution and risks discouraging women from aspiring to leadership positions.

He urged gender advocacy groups and civil society organisations to speak out against what he described as a dismissive posture towards women in authority.

“Leadership, whether in majority or minority, comes with responsibility; words matter. Therefore, when a Minority Leader of Parliament chooses to publicly belittle a female appointee, it sends a signal to every young girl and woman in this country that their work and their place can be erased with a sentence,” he stated.

The GFL Secretary General maintained that Nana Yaa Jantuah, as a Senior Presidential Staffer, has the authority to represent the Presidency and argued that questioning her suitability for the role was unacceptable.

The Federation has called on Mr Afenyo-Markin to retract his remarks and issue an unqualified apology to Nana Yaa Jantuah and Ghanaian women.

“We can disagree on policy, we can debate the petition, but we cannot and will not accept language that seeks to shrink the space for women in governance,” Mr Koomson said.

He also urged political parties, the media and civil society organisations to promote respectful public discourse, particularly as Ghana continues discussions on gender equity and inclusive governance.

“Progress is not progressive if half the population is constantly reminded they are ‘nobody’. Ghana deserves better from its leaders,” he added.

The GFL further disclosed that it intends to engage women's groups, labour unions and the leadership of Parliament to push for a formal statement condemning gender-based attacks in political discourse.

The controversy has also drawn reactions from the NPP. Speaking on Asempa FM's Ekosii Sen, the party's National Organiser, Henry Nana Boakye, described Nana Yaa Jantuah as a "third-tier presidential staffer" and argued that the government failed to accord the demonstration the respect it deserved.

“Why should President Mahama send Nana Yaa Jantuah, a third-tier presidential staffer, to receive the NPP’s demonstration petition? It is a sign of disrespect toward the NPP,” he said.

Similarly, the NPP's Deputy General Secretary, Haruna Mohammed, criticised the Presidency during an appearance on JoyNews' The Pulse, describing the decision as "very disrespectful" and suggesting it reflected the government's unwillingness to engage meaningfully with the opposition.

Responding to the criticism, Nana Yaa Akyenpim Jantuah defended her role in receiving the petition and rejected suggestions that she lacked the authority to do so.

“This is democracy at hand. If the NPP today has been able to come to the Flagstaff House to present their petition, then democracy is at work,” she said.

She also dismissed the Minority Leader's characterisation of her as "nobody."

“I’m happy that the Minority Leader is saying that I am a nobody. But I want to assure you that I’m a senior member of government, and this petition will directly get to the President,” she stated.

She further urged all political actors to respect the country's laws and democratic institutions while engaging in public discourse.