Upper East NDC Women Organizer Slams UER Minister for Diminishing Women's Role in 24-Hour Economy Proposal
The Upper East Regional NDC women wing has strongly condemned a recent viral video in which the UER Minister, Hon Stephen Yakubu, derogatorily referred to women as "sex tools" in relation to the proposed 24-hour economy policy by the NDC flagbearer and president-in-waiting, H.E. John Dramani Mahama.
In the video, the minister is heard quoting the vice president stating, "The vice president says he understands the region, he says this 24-hour economy is my brothers, when we work in our farms and we are tired in the night we have to sleep with our wives oooo! We have to be with our wives, ooo... in the night you want us to go farming and people would come and take our wives away?..."
This derogatory statement made by the UER Minister has sparked outrage and disbelief among women in the Upper East Region. The NDC women wing in letter signed by the regional women organizer, Yakubu Fawziatu Abagnamah strongly believes that such remarks not only diminish the role and contributions of women but also perpetuate gender stereotypes and discrimination.
The proposed 24-hour economy policy put forward by H.E. John Dramani Mahama aims to boost economic growth by enabling businesses and services to operate around the clock. It is meant to provide equal opportunities for all citizens, including women, to contribute to the development of their communities.
However, the Minister's comments reflect a regressive mindset that undermines these goals. Referring to women as "sex tools" not only objectifies and devalues them, but it also promotes the harmful idea that women's primary role is confined to their relationships and sexuality. This kind of language is insensitive, disrespectful, and perpetuates gender inequality.
As the Upper East Regional NDC women wing rightly points out, women have a vital role to play in the proposed 24-hour economy proposal and calls on the regional minister to retract and apologize for such a derogatory comment.