A Presidential Staffer, Nana Yaa Akyenpim Jantuah, has accused the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) of demanding respect from others while failing to extend the same courtesy, particularly to women.
Nana Yaa Jantuah made these comments after the Minority's criticism of the Presidency for assigning her to receive the NPP's petition after the party's "Democracy Under Attack" demonstration at the Jubilee House on Thursday, August 6. The event commemorated the August 6 helicopter crash victims, with President John Mahama and other senior government officials in attendance.
NPP's Conduct Questioned
Nana Yaa Jantuah revealed that President Mahama instructed her to receive the petition on his behalf after being informed that the Chief of Staff and other senior officials were unavailable. She said she was surprised by the reaction of the NPP leadership upon her arrival at the Jubilee House.
"When I was going to meet them, I thought I was going to meet my friends," Nana Yaa Jantuah recalled, referring to Nana B and Justin Kodua, who were present at the demonstration. "When I watched from afar, I could see them protesting that they couldn’t present the petition to me."
Lack of Respect
Nana Yaa Jantuah argued that the NPP's conduct demonstrated a lack of respect, particularly towards women in leadership. "NPP wants respect, but they do not know how to give respect, especially to women," she said.
She also questioned the authenticity of the petition presented to the Presidency, alleging that it was unsigned. "Even the petition they claimed was signed, there was no signature on it," she said. "But I took it and didn’t want to say anything."
A Lesson in Leadership
Nana Yaa Jantuah maintained that despite the criticism directed at her, she remained focused on carrying out the assignment entrusted to her by the President. Her decision to keep quiet in the face of the NPP's objections was a deliberate choice, she said.
Nana Yaa Jantuah's comments have sparked debate about the NPP's approach to leadership and respect for women in Ghanaian politics. As the country continues to navigate its democratic landscape, the issue of respect and leadership will undoubtedly remain a pressing concern.
The outcome of this incident remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – Nana Yaa Jantuah's comments have shed light on the importance of respect in leadership, particularly for women in Ghanaian politics.
Source: Joy Online
