The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Otiko Afisah Djaba gave the hint when she paid a courtesy call on Gambarana Yahaya Wuni, caretaker of the most popular alleged witches camp in Gambaga of the East Mamprusi district.

“It still remains in the plans of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to disband the remaining five alleged witches’ camps in the Northern Region of Ghana.”

“It is inhumane and criminal for anyone to accuse another person as a witch simply because the person exhibits certain strange behaviours.”

“The laws would deal with anyone or group of persons found culpable of lynching or causing harm to suspected witches or wizards,” she warned.

She stated, “President Akufo-Addo has been adjudged a gender champion in Africa. He is also co-chair of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. It is not right for him to be leading Ghana in the fight against poverty and dehumanisation against children and women whilst in his backyard there are witches camps.”

“Let’s all join hands and support our President to deal with all negative cultural practices including witchcraft accusations, child marriages, begging on the streets and kayayei among others.”

She said the victims would be reintegrated, empowered with skills training and given start-up capital to start business.

She commended the Gambarana for taken care of the banished women over decades.

She presented several bags of rice, canned fish, detergents and a cash amount of GH¢800.00 for the inmates upkeep.

She promised to register all of them to benefit from the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme pending the disbandment.

Since 2010, the “Presby Go Home Project” of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana has successfully reintegrated 72 alleged witches into the society.

The project Manager, Sampson Laar revealed that there were 70 alleged witches still living in the camp.

Currently, there are five of such camps in the Northern Region with three located in the Gushiegu district.

These are the Gnani, Kpatinga, Kukuo, Naabuli and Gambaga alleged witch camps.

The Bonyase camp in the Central Gonja district was closed in 2014 with 55 inmates liberated from their bondage.

The exercise was facilitated by the Ministry of Gender and Social Protection in collaboration with Action Aid Ghana, Songtaba and other civil society organizations into women rights advocacy.

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By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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 Addressing the Northern Regional House of Chiefs as part of her three-day campaign tour against early child marriage, she pleaded with the traditional authorities to support government’s fight against the phenomenon.

 She said government was committed to promoting child rights in line with the legal framework and international treaties of which Ghana is a signatory.

 “The Children’s Act, the Child and Family Welfare Policy, the Justice for Children Policy coupled with the development of a National Strategic Framework on Ending Child Marriage would provide a holistic approach in the implementation of appropriate strategies and key interventions by different sectors of the Ghanaian Society.”

 Madam Otiko Djaba encouraged traditional rulers to influence their subjects to take advantage of the yet to be implemented “Free SHS” policy in September and send their children to school.

 This, according to her could reduce the high illiteracy ratio recorded in the Northern Region overtime.

 “I am appealing to you our chiefs and queen mothers of the various traditional areas in the region to work towards ensuring that come September 2017, every child of school age is enrolled in school.”

 “Those who for one reason or the other could not go back to school, my ministry will ensure that they are giving skills training.”

 She gave the assurance that women would be given special attention during selection of caterers for the Ghana School Feeding Programme.

 “Originally, the caterers were supposed to buy local food to cook for school children but that had not been the case for a long time. There is going to be directive to ensure that the caterers buy about 60% of locally produced food from smallholder women farmer groups.”

 She is convinced creating such opportunity will encourage more women to practice agribusiness.

 The Gender Minister later visited the Nyohini Children’s Home and commended the Director, Miss Augustina Quainoo and her team for their humanitarian services.

 “Despite your challenges, I am happy per your reports that you have been nurturing infants to become responsible citizens for over four decades.”

 Ms. Augustina Quainoo appealed to the Gender Minister to renovate the dilapidated structures there.

 She also entreated the minister to assist the home complete a dormitory project and a fence wall initiated by the former First Lady, Mrs. Lordina Mahama in partnership with an NGO called Boya Initiative.

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By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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She is to address the Northern Regional House of Chiefs, today (Tuesday) to garner enough support from the traditional authorities to minimize the situation.

She is also expected to visit the Northern Regional Juvenile Correctional Centre.

Otiko Afisah Djaba at the Dakpema and Gulkpegu Naa palaces in Tamale called for a multifaceted approach to tackle the situation.

She emphasized the need for chiefs and the clergy to support government’s quest to end child marriage prevalent in the Northern Region.

She cited an increase in illiteracy rate, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, obstetric fistula, maternal and infant mortalities as some of the dangers associated with the menace.

“Government is doing its part by creating legislations. We expect our chiefs and religious leaders to complement government’s efforts by exposing the perpetrators of child marriage so as to safeguard the health and development of our young girls.”

“The purpose of my visit is also to explain certain government policies and initiatives to very important stakeholders including the chiefs, religious leaders as well as civil society organisations whose contributions matter a lot in the implementation of such policies and initiatives,” she explained.

The chief of Tamale, Naa Dakpema Dawuni Alhassan lauded the minister’s campaign and urged government to strictly enforce laws on child marriage.

“Child marriage is a new thing in Dagbon and people who indulge in the practice should be made to face the law.”

Naa Dakpema condemned the practice of children roaming on the streets of Tamale Township late at night.

Otiko Afisah Djaba at the Northern Regional Coordinating Council told the regional Minister, Salifu Sa-eed that plans were far advanced to implement the Ghana National Household Registry programme.

“I need the full cooperation and support of all MMDAs in your region to enable my ministry carryout this programme successfully. In every district, we expect the assemblies to provide our staff with office space for the period that they will be working in the districts to gather data and information.”

According to her, the Ghana National Household Registry is to establish a single national household register which will capture the data of all beneficiaries’ of social protection programs.

“The programme is funded by the World Bank through a US$9million facility negotiated by the government of Ghana.”

According to UNICEF, in Ghana, one out of every five girls is in marriage or in an informal union or cohabitation arrangement.

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By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Otiko campaigns against child marriage in N/R appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to them, the recent public altercation between the two threatens the country’s democracy and good governance.

[contextly_sidebar id=”EqxVajHZyTYQtmCPiKXwH5cVDm8tWc2x”]A statement signed by Minority leader, Haruna Iddrissu called on the Ghana Police Service to invite Bugri Naabu over comments he made suggesting that the Gender Minister and the Upper East Regional Minister, Rockson Bukari were involved in the murder of a former chairman of the NPP.

The two have been bickering in the past few days, exchanging abusive words on various media platforms in what many have described as a serious blot on the government’s image.

The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Otiko Afisa Djaba in a media engagement last week, accused the NPP Northern Regional Chairman, Bugri Naabu, of receiving goats and cows from individuals with the promise of securing appointments in public office for them.

Mr. Naabu in a subsequent media interview caused a stir when he reportedly suggested that Otiko Djaba was involved in the murder of the former NPP Upper East Regional Chairman, Adams Mahama.

According to the minority, the development vindicates the minority on its opposition to the appointment of Otiko Djaba as a Minister of State.

It urged Akufo-Addo to deal with the matter or risk confirming the public perception that “that this is a double standard and substandard government.”

Read the full statement below:

The NDC Minority in Parliament has noted with grave concern recent accusations among some Ministers of State and the New Patriotic Party Big Wigs. It will be recalled that about a week ago the Northern Regional Chairman of the NPP, Mr Daniel Bugri Naabu led a group of hoodlums to disrupt a meeting organised by the Minister of Gender and Social Protection, Madam Afisa Otiko Djaba at the Modern City Hotel in Tamale.

This resulted in altercations between the two on various media platforms. This worrying situation does not only have internal NPP Party ramifications but also far reaching negative consequences for the peace, stability and good governance of our dear country.

In the verbal assault on each other in the media, Madam Otiko Djaba accused Mr Naabu of running a regime of political thuggery in the Northern Region which he uses to brutally suppress dissent against his dictatorial leadership style.

Madam Otiko further accused Mr Naabu of bribery in which he allegedly collected goats, sheep and cows among others from NPP members seeking high public office positions such as District Chief Executive positions.

In a rebuttal, Mr Naabu accused the Minister for Gender and Social Protection and two others of complicity in the murder of Alhaji Mahama Adams, former Upper East Regional Chairman of the NPP.

The two are Mr Rockson Bukari, current Upper East Regional Minister and the newly appointed Builsa District Chief Executive. Mr Naabu had alleged that the three had had series of secret meetings at which the plot to murder Mr Adams, the Upper East Regional Chairman was hatched.

We in the Minority consider these developments as a grave concern as they pose a veritable threat to our democracy and good governance.

Ghana is a country of laws where the fundamental human rights and freedoms are enshrined in the 1992 Constitution and therefore expected to be enforced in ways prescribed by the law i.e. through the known and recognised institutions such as the courts. As we speak, two people are standing trial for their alleged complicity in the murder of Alhaji Adams. This allegation by the Northern Regional NPP Chairman Mr Naabu that the three were not only involved in the murder but were responsible is crucial to the determination of the matter currently pending before the court.

Mr Naabu’s allegations have widespread implications for the delivery of justice in the matter of the murder of the Upper East Regional Chairman.

In any true democratic system, Mr Naabu’s pronouncement should have elicited immediate action from state actors especially the Ghana Police and President Akufo Addo.

As a government that is enjoined to uphold the rule of law and the fundamental human rights of the people, this loud silence from the state actors particularly the President is not only shocking but a betrayal of the people on whose shoulders he rode to power.

We in the Minority are calling for an immediate invitation from the Police to Mr Naabu to assist the Police with his evidence in respect of the murder of the Upper East Regional Chairman. Similarly we call the Police and the President to act on the serious bribery allegation made by Madam Otiko Djaba, Minister for Gender and Social Protection against Mr Naabu, the Northern Regional Chairman. We are by this asking that they invite all those whose names have been mentioned in connection with the scandal.

What is most disturbing is that under the watch of President Akufo Addo who claims to be a champion of human rights and an anti-corruption crusader, these things are happening without any concrete action from him.

As matters stand now, the Minority stands vindicated for its earlier opposition to the appointment of Otiko Djaba as a Minister of State.

We demand an action from the President now else his inaction will confirm the view in the public domain that this is a double standard and substandard government.

Signed,

Hon. Haruna Iddrissu

Minority Leader

Meanwhile, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Council will hold a meeting at 7pm today [Wednesday] to discuss the way forward on the matter.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Nana Addo must sanction Naabu, Otiko – Minority appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The two have been bickering in the past few days, exchanging abusive words on various media platforms in what many have described as a serious blot on the government’s image.

[contextly_sidebar id=”3MJsZzF7pbiZbUUY8rJkdC8ANky1mbxT”]The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Otiko Afisa Djaba in a media engagement last week, accused the NPP Northern Regional Chairman, Bugri Naabu, of receiving goats and cows among other forms of inducement from individuals, with the promise of securing appointments in public office for them.

This was after Mr. Bugri Naabu had disrupted a meeting between the Minister and some women in the Northern Region, over allegations that the Minister was ganging up against some of the President’s MMDCE nominees.

The Northern Regional Chairman also accused Otiko of disrespect for holding a meeting in the region without his knowledge.

Mr. Naabu in a subsequent media interview caused a stir when he reportedly suggested that Otiko Djaba and the current Upper East Regional Minister, were involved in the murder of the former NPP Upper East Regional Chairman, Adams Mahama.

A Deputy General Secretary of the NPP, Nana Obiri Boahen, told Citi News the development was “unfortunate.”

He said, “it has been decided that the party will be meeting to discuss that particular issue because it is very much important and particular to us.”

The meeting was further confirmed on the Point Blank segment of Eyewitness News on Tuesday by National Youth Organizer of the party, Sammy Awuku.

We’ll take serious action against Otiko, Bugri Naabu – Sammy Awuku

According to Mr. Awuku, the New Patriotic Party is outraged by the fracas, and will thus take a firm decision on the development.

“The party is angry about this development. We find this very disheartening, especially at a time when the President had been touring West African countries promoting free border trade, holding bilateral talks and chalking tremendous success in some of these areas. The party will take a very serious stance on the issue.

“If you are a senior member of the party, both serving in government and serving in the party hierarchy and you think opening your mouth will not promote this government and the President then do not open your mouth.”

The National Council is the second highest decision-making body in the party after Congress.
–
By: Ebenezer Afabyi Dadzie/citfmonline.com/Ghana

The post NPP to decide Otiko and Bugri Naabu’s fate today appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

This according to the Northern Regional Chairman of the NPP, Daniel Bugri Naabu, was a unanimous decision taken by the Northern Regional Executive Committee on Sunday.

“As I’m talking to you now, yesterday [Sunday], the regional executive committee met, and the decision was a unanimous decision. All the executives sanctioned that we should suspend her [Hajia Safia]. So she is on suspension as the Deputy Regional Women’s Organizer,” he said.

[contextly_sidebar id=”9tMMji3EiOzYPp2M0zRBx8a9bxZRBFJ5″]Bugri Naabu while speaking in an interview with Accra-based radio station, XYZ, said the Regional Executive Committee has also asked the Tamale Central and South constituency executives to do same for their Women Organizers who took part in that meeting.

“These are the people she [Otiko Djaba] ganged up with to destabilize my [Northern] region…We are also asking Tamale Central and Tamale South constituency executives to discipline the other two constituency women organizer’s in the same way,” he added.

Background

There is currently a standoff between the NPP Northern Regional Chairman and the Gender Minister, after the former truncated a meeting organized by the Minister in the region.

According to Bugri Naabu, he obstructed the meeting because it was organized illegally without the notice of the regional leadership of the party.

Unhappy over the turn of events, Otiko Djaba in a radio interview accused Bugri Naabu of handing out government jobs in exchange for items such as cows and goats.

“I want him to stop telling lies about me and to stop collecting people’s things and promising them jobs he cannot give. When he goes and does that, after he has collected their money and their cows and goats, then he will come and put the trouble on Otiko. Otiko will not accept it. If Bugri wants trouble from me then the trouble will come,” she said.

I’ll sue Otiko

Bugri Naabu has also on his part threatened to drag Otiko Djaba to court for defaming him.

“She should show me the person who gave me money or I asked for money, the person who gave me cow or I asked for cow, the person who gave me sheep or goat if I asked for it. I am asking her that I need evidence, if no evidence; I’m putting her before court,” he said.

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By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

The post NPP woman suspended for supporting Otiko appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

“Is she sure of telling me that I am taking goats, sheep, cows and money? Can she come out and say I have taken money from this person? She should come out and explain. I will not ask her to apologize; I’m going to take her to court,” Bugri Naabu fumed.

The Gender Minister had accused Bugri Naabu of handing out government jobs in exchange for items such as cows and goats.

There is a current standoff between the two members of the NPP after Bugri Naabu allegedly truncated a meeting organized by the Gender Minister in the region.

Bugri Naabu complained that the meeting was illegally organised because the hierarchy of the party in the region was not informed about it.

Incensed by the action however, Otiko Djaba on Tamale based North Star FM used harsh words against Bugri Naabu.

“I want him to stop telling lies about me and to stop collecting people’s things and promising them jobs he cannot give. When he goes and does that, after he has collected their money and their cows and goats, then he will come and put the trouble on Otiko. Otiko will not accept it. If Bugri wants trouble from me then the trouble will come,” she said.

Meanwhile, speaking to Accra based radio station, XYZ, Bugri Naabu said he won’t waste time asking the Gender Minister to apologize but would head straight to the court.

“I am coming to find out from her, she should show me the person who gave me money or I asked for money, the person who gave me cow or I asked for cow, the person who gave me sheep or goat if I asked for it. I am asking her that I need evidence, if no evidence; I’m putting her before court,” he said.

Bugri Naabu further explained that Otiko is fond of making unsubstantiated claims adding that “she’s been doing that, everybody in the party is fed up with her.”

“The president doesn’t want to take any action against her. So I am not going to wait for her to apologize, I will take her to court,” he added.

–

By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

The post I’ll sue Otiko – Bugri Naabu vows appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

If you wear a short dress, it’s fashionable, but know that it can attract somebody who would want to rape or defile you. You must be responsible for the choices you make.” I cannot believe that Ghana’s Gender, Children and Social Protection would say something so ignorant, something so sexist and abominable.

To begin, Madam, really? Your best advice to a bunch of growing girls already under pressure to minimize themselves was to suggest to them that clothes attract rape? You couldn’t just tell them to study hard and remain “confident, bold and respectful.” You couldn’t tell them to report lecherous teachers, relatives and random men to school authorities.

You had to go and give that faux sex education advice. Who was it that told you at the Ministry that this was good counsel to give girls growing up in an environment where men feel entitled to their bodies? How can you so shamelessly resort to victim-blaming when Ghanaian newspapers and websites constantly report the rape of women as old as 70 and children as young as two by vile men?

Minister, I want to assume, that was your special uninformed way of telling women and girls to be safe because it is odd for Ghana’s Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection to be on the same side as rapists and other bad men who hide behind that tired excuse to violate women. Rape according to the dictionary and the laws of the land is any form of sexual penetration that occurs without the consent of one party.

It is the violation of women and girls always borne out of entitlement to our bodies. Certainly you can see that no correlation exists between the victim’s clothes and the actions of the rapist. Therefore, they lie, when they insist that women’s clothes move them to rape. Men are not goats incapable of self-control and respect for others that the mere sight of a woman’s skin renders them insane and rapey.

Madam, studies indicate that Ghanaian women between the ages of 10-18 years (the age group of the girls you spoke to) are most at risk of all forms sexual violence. Data from the Gender Centre also indicates that 27 percent of Ghanaian women have been sexually assaulted in their lifetime. 1 in 3 women had been fondled or touched against their will, and 2 in 10 women their first experience of sex was against their will. And many do not report these violations that leave them with lifelong trauma because of comments like yours.

Often victims are subjected to awful queries like “what were you doing in his room” and “what were you wearing,” suggesting that they’re somehow to blame for the actions of the rapist. Minister, your comment did exactly what rapists want, ignore their actions and place the burden of preventing rape on women. It serves no one than just perpetuates the rape culture, allowing rapists to get away with their crimes.

It is obvious from your response to Kennedy Agyapong’s sex for jobs attack on the Electoral Commissioner, Charlotte Osei and other comments that you’re completely out of step with evolving gender dynamics. Because the notion that women somehow contributes to rape no longer applies in polite society. Only the rapist is responsible for his actions. A Gender Minister who cares would know this. It’s not your fault, you didn’t appoint yourself. They were looking for a woman for the role and I’m sure they thought their National Women’s Organiser would be fitting.

As things stand right now, you’re imperfect for the role. You have no technical knowledge of the area and you have never been an advocate of gender rights. Consider your delayed response to the woman who was beaten, stripped naked and violated in Kumasi. I suspect you were working with the ‘what if she stole’ theory. We don’t live in a jungle, even if she stole, they built the courts and the prisons for crimes like. Consider again, your reckless comments about your colleagues’ supposed disability. Albinism isn’t a disability and that was an appalling way to speak about disabilities in our society.

Madam, I had been praying you succeed given the drama that came with your appointment.

Nothing would please the Minority Members of the Appointments Committee more than seeing you fail. And you will fail if you do not seek help with the sector. Like many of your colleagues, you would have to educate yourself because having “power doesn’t automatically mean that you have knowledge.”

Find people who have specialized in gender and children’s rights to educate you in the area. Just because you’re a woman doesn’t mean you know what is required to transform the lives of Ghanaian women. You need to unlearn your internalized sexism and misogyny, study the changing ways the world seeks to treat women and get with the plan.

I’m serious about this. Sit down, stop talking, and study. The University of Ghana has a fabulous place where you can go for help, the Centre for Gender Studies and Advocacy. Go learn how you can help reduce rape using policy, enforcement of laws and other tools.

If you do nothing at all, find someone who is aware of the times to guide you in writing those speeches. And stop offending us, Ghanaian women each time you speak.

Sincerely,
The woman with an agenda

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By: nnyamewaa.com/Ghana

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The Minister made the comment in an interview with Accra-based Starr FM, while she was discussing the subject of disability and the need for persons with disability to be recognized in society and given roles in government.

“You have persons with disability; somebody just takes a picture without asking their permission, some think that every disabled person should be a beggar. I have met disabled people in the University. In the previous administration, there was a disabled person as a Minister for chieftaincy. Our Regional Minister currently in the Central Region, Hon. Duncan, is also a person with disability. In some places, persons with albinism are not supposed to even operate, but our Minister for Information Mr. Mustapha Hamid is an albino. I met the Minister for Gender of Liberia and she is an albino; and so it means that we shouldn’t look at the disabilities of people, but their abilities, potential and usefulness.”

In Ghana, physically challenged persons are in many ways not recognised or given the needed assistance by government, and also by the larger society.

Otiko Afisa-Djaba’s Ministry is thus expected to initiate policies and programmes that will make life better for such persons in society.

But her comment about albinos with particular reference to Mustapha Hamid may attract some reactions, considering that not every albino has disabilities.

An albino is a person with pale skin, white hair, pinkish eyes, and visual abnormalities resulting from a hereditary inability to produce the pigment melanin.

Persons with albinism are usually as healthy as the rest of the population, with growth and development occurring as normal, but some can be classified as disabled because of the associated visual impairments.
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By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The Ashaiman MP together with the MP for Juaboso Constituency, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, filed the lawsuit seeking to revoke Madam Djaba’s appointment due to her failure to undertake the mandatory national service.

The MPs have since come under several attacks with some groups in Ashaiman demanding the withdrawal of the suit or face their exit from the National Democratic Congress.

But Mr. Norgbey has said he remains resolute in his legal action, in addition to the fact he thinks the protests against his suit are politically motivated by persons in the New Patriotic Party who may not even belong to the Ashaiman constituency.

Speaking in an interview with Citi News, “those who are doing the press conferences and other things are not known NDC people. They are all NPP people who may never vote fo the NDC at any given point in time. This is politically motivated. They are not confirmed citizens of Ashaiman as they have termed themselves to be.”

In the meantime, the MP said his case was still at the Supreme Court and that “we are still waiting for the court to give us direction.”

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post I won’t bow to pressure to drop suit against Otiko – Ashaiman MP appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.