NDC Deputy Women’s Organiser demands apology over Afenyo-Markin’s ‘nobody’ remark

The Deputy Women’s Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Abigail Elorm Mensah, has criticised Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin over his description of Presidential Staffer Nana Yaa Jantuah as a “nobody,” calling the remark disrespectful and sexist.

In a statement issued on Thursday, August 7, Ms Mensah said the comment, made after the presentation of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) petition at the Presidency during its “Democracy Under Attack” demonstration, was not only an affront to Nana Yaa Jantuah but also to women serving in leadership positions across the country.

She argued that Nana Yaa Jantuah occupies a legitimate role at the Presidency and should not be dismissed because of her gender.

“Nana Yaa Jantuah holds a legitimate and respected role at the Presidency. To dismiss her on the basis of gender is to undermine the principles of merit, professionalism, and equality that our nation must uphold,” she stated.

Ms Mensah further expressed concern that the Minority Leader’s comments reflected a broader attitude towards women in leadership within the New Patriotic Party.

“These comments cannot be viewed in isolation. They raise serious concerns about how women are regarded within the NPP and whether there is genuine respect for women in leadership within their ranks,” she said.

The NDC Deputy Women’s Organiser called on Mr Afenyo-Markin to render an immediate and unreserved apology to Nana Yaa Jantuah and Ghanaian women, while urging the NPP leadership to distance itself from what she described as discriminatory remarks.

The controversy stems from Thursday’s presentation of the NPP’s petition at Jubilee House, where Nana Yaa Jantuah received the document on behalf of the Presidency. Mr Afenyo-Markin questioned the government’s decision to delegate her to receive the petition, arguing that it did not reflect the significance of the concerns being raised by the opposition.