Critics unfairly expect Prof Opoku-Agyemang to make emotional statements about issues affecting women – Kwame Anthony 

A Deputy National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Julius Kwame Anthony, has defended Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang against criticism over her response to allegations of sexual abuse at Obuasi Senior High Technical School.

Following a JoyNews investigative report on the matter in which the Headmaster of the school has allegedly abused about 19 students, several commentators have criticised the Vice President of being silent on women's issues.

However, the NDC communicator argued that the criticism unfairly reduces the Vice President’s leadership role to public commentary on issues affecting women and suggests that she must make emotional public statements to demonstrate her commitment to their welfare.

Speaking on Accra-based Channel One TV's Breakfast Daily show on, Thursday, October 22, he said the Vice President had been performing her official duties while in Shanghai, China, and had been receiving updates on the actions taken by the relevant ministers.

“People are saying that the supervision, being informed in real time, and ensuring that executive supervision is done is not enough. Why would you? Because it’s not enough simply because they did not see her make an emotional outburst in public,” he stated.

Kwame Anthony said the Interior Minister and the Education Minister had taken steps to address the allegations, including moving the investigation to the ministry’s headquarters and interdicting the headmaster.

He stressed that the Vice President’s oversight of the relevant officials and her awareness of the measures being taken should also be considered when assessing her response to the matter.

According to him, expecting the Vice President to publicly react to every issue involving women risks reinforcing gender stereotypes and undermining women’s participation in leadership.