Comments by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Assin Central constituency, Kennedy Agyapong, to the effect that the chair of the Electoral Commission, Mrs Charlotte Osei, got the job after offering sexual favours “unfortunate and regrettable,” Nana Obiri Boahen, Deputy General Secretary of the NPP, has said.

The comment of the lawmaker has provoked outrage among some Ghanaians, with some expressing disgust at his conduct. For instance, Children, Gender, and Social Protection Minister Nana Oye Lithur described the remark as regrettable, saying Ghanaian women would not countenance personal attacks on women who have committed to serve Ghana in public office.

She said as a public officer, Mr Agyapong should rather promote non-discrimination, respect for human dignity, and gender equality. Also, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Hanna Tetteh said the “vicious attacks” were unfortunate, since Mrs Osei was a lawyer and professional capable of getting the EC Chair job on merit.

There have been calls on Mr Agyapong to apologise to the EC boss but he has threatened to say worse things if he is dared. “If you like, I will say more. The woman’s posture and her attitude; we have to let people know who she is. Why must we be afraid to say the truth? If you dare me, I will say more about Charlotte Osei and why she is doing what she is doing. If a woman is doing the wrong thing, shouldn’t we say it, is a woman not a human being?” he asked on Accra-based Adom FM.

Speaking in an interview with Prince Minkah, host of the Executive Breakfast Show (EBS) on Class91.3FM on Wednesday June 29, as a mere member of the NPP and not in his official capacity as a deputy general secretary of the party, Nana Obiri Boahen said Mr Agyapong’s comment was not appropriate.