Remarks by Assin Central Member of Parliament Kennedy Agyapong to the effect that Mrs Charlotte Osei was appointed to the position of chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC) after offering sex, prove the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) lawmaker is a longstanding misogynist, alleges former Central Regional Minister Ama Benyiwa-Doe.

Mr Agyapong on Saturday June 25, during the campaign launch for Asokwa MP Patricia Appeagyei in Kumasi, said Mrs Osei – then chairperson of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), who was appointed in June 2015 to replace long-serving EC chairman, Dr Kwadwo Afari Gyan – had been advised by some highly-placed persons in government to “bring your derriere in exchange for the EC Chair position”.

The MP has been criticised by several persons including the Media Foundation for West Africa’s Suleiman Braimah and some parliamentarians for the comments.

Airing her views on the matter on Accra100.5FM’s breakfast show, Ghana Yensom on Wednesday June 29, Ms Benyiwa-Doe described the comments as “very unfortunate” given that women continue to contribute significantly to national activities. She specifically referred to the fact that the head of Ghana’s judiciary, the Chief Justice, was a woman appointed by former President John Kufuor, saying there was the need to be careful when making such comments, as there were many educated and high-ranking women in the country. She added that women, by their nature, were more careful with their actions, often steering clear of conduct that would sully their reputation, for which reason making such allegations against the EC boss needed to be taken seriously.

“I believe Kennedy’s statement is unfortunate because Kennedy has never respected women,” the Council of state member told host Chief Jerry Forson.

She revealed that Mr Agyapong, back in 2004, had hired goons to ambush her on a highway when she was MP for Gomoa West, adding: “He has sworn to himself not to respect women. But I want to remind him that his mother is also a woman. At least, he has sisters and a wife, so why does he also wish to treat women with disdain.”

According to her, Mrs Charlotte Osei was “very learned” and “has worked hard enough to make a name for herself, even before this government honoured her [with her current position]”.

“So why is it that Kennedy Agyapong, alone, is dissatisfied with it [her appointment]?” she asked. “What I want to ask is…can the NPP leadership not call him to order? ...They should call him to order because his comments are disturbing. So why does he continually attack women in positions of power? It is bad, it is not pleasant. So, I believe we all have to tell him his actions are bad. NPP executives should calm Kennedy Agyapong so we all enjoy some peace in this country.”

Mr Agyapong was in the media for similar reasons in February 2016 when he was involved in foul exchanges with popular radio presenter Valentina Agyeiwaa, also known as Afia Schwarzenegger. Some women groups condemned the vitriol saying it was politically incorrect of a legislator and demeaned not only the woman but also womanhood.