Government has condemned comments made by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Daboya/Makanrigu that adulterous women should be stoned or hanged.
The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Nana Oye Lithur condemned the statement, stressing that the views by the MP, does not in any way represents government position.
“This is not government’s position, we condemn the statement. This is not the position of the government and the people of Ghana,” she stressed.
[contextly_sidebar id=”MsXfMmgjn29ZrkFaUsPr4TsY9nvGfWg6″]During a debate in Parliament over the Interstate Succession Bill, Nelson Abudu Banni suggested that adulterous wives must be punished by stoning of hanging.
This, he said will ensure wives are faithful to their husbands.
His suggestion was met with massive uproar from the general public, Human Rights Activists and pressure group OccupyGhana.
OccupyGhana subsequently issued a statement demanding a condemnation of the statement from Gender Minister.
They also demanded an apology from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP and called for his resignation as well.
Even though Mr Banni has apologized, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection says his comments negate recent gains made on the gender front.
The sector Minister, Nana Oye Lithur in an interview with Citi News indicated the government of Ghana is keen on protecting the rights of women.
She once again condemned the statement adding that “the government has institutions under the Domestic Violence and Victims Support unit that protects women.”
“Our Ministry has the mandate to also protect women…we do not condone violence. We actually work to protect women against violence and we will continue to do that,” she added.
Meanwhile a Human Rights Activist, Kinna Likimani, has said it is alarming that the leadership of Parliament is dragging its feet in reprimanding the MP for Daboya/Makanrigu.
She remarked that the Speaker of Parliament must scrutinize all comments made by Nelson Abudu Baani on the matter and proffer the appropriate sanctions.
Likimani pointed out that although the Speaker is reported to have said the MP’s comments on adulterous women were not made on the floor of Parliament, it is important for the House to address the matter.
“…everywhere Mr. Baani goes, he is an MP and not just in Parliament so the Speaker must do something about it and provide remedy because he [Baani] did harm all of us,” she said.
By: Efua Idan Osam/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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