16/07/2025
PRESS STATEMENT‼️
Minority Leader’s Misconduct Towards Hon. Grace Ayensu-Danquah is Chauvinistic, Disgraceful and Deeply Offensive
The Alliance of Feminist CSOs (AFCSOS) strongly condemns the reprehensible conduct of the Minority Leader, Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, towards his colleague MP, Hon. Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah, in her legitimate attempt to contribute to the debate on the floor of Parliament yesterday, following what he called her “strange” nomination by the President as Deputy Minister for Health.
We are outraged by the Minority Leader’s unprovoked attack, which not only disrespects Hon. Ayensu-Danquah as a Member of Parliament but also reveals a disturbing undercurrent of chauvinism that has no place in our democracy. Using his position to openly threaten and bully her amounts to a gross abuse of privilege and a shameful attempt to weaponize a constitutional process of vetting for personal or political vendetta.
We wish to state emphatically that it is unacceptable for any MP, let alone the Minority Leader, to use the high office of the Vetting Committee to bully, intimidate, or threaten a nominee- especially a female colleague- because of their gender or perceived position in internal party dynamics. Such conduct is unbecoming of a leader and deeply offensive to every woman in public life who continues to fight against systemic discrimination and exclusion.
The Minority Leader’s comments are not only unfair and unfounded, but they expose a pattern of targeted hostility toward women in politics. We are appalled that while first-term male MPs and even individuals who are not Members of Parliament have been appointed to substantive ministerial and deputy minister roles without any protest from him, it is the appointment of a competent and hardworking female MP that has provoked his ire.
Additionally, his needless comparison of Hon. Ayensu-Danquah, Hon. Zanetor Rawlings and other female MPs betray an old and tired chauvinist tactic of pitching the few women in Parliament against each other, as if women leaders are competitors rather than colleagues with a shared mandate to serve the people of Ghana. Such actions undermine their individual competence, achievements, and collective solidarity. These are highly accomplished women who have earned their place in our national house. They do not need your divisive and patronizing rhetoric.
We call on the Minority Leader to immediately retract his statements and render an unqualified public apology to Hon. Grace Ayensu-Danquah. We also caution against the continued and unnecessary comparison of female MPs, with an ulterior motive of pitting them against one another. The New Patriotic Party (NPP) must call their leader to order.
We reaffirm our unflinching support for Hon. Ayensu-Danquah and every woman who dares to lead in the face of entrenched patriarchy and chauvinism. We will not be silent in the face of injustice, nor will we allow any leader, no matter how highly placed, to use their position to undermine, belittle, or bully our female leaders.
Enough is enough
Alimatu Issahak
Executive Director
CONTACT: +233 (0) 244 222 675
