Press Statement Released By Mothers Of Ghana (MOG)

REACTING TO MR KWADWO OWUSU AFRIYIE (SIR JOHN) COMMENT ON CITY FM

This press statement is to register our utmost disappointment in the General Secretary of the NPP, Mr. Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie (Sir John) on comments made by him whiles he was sharing his thought on the ministerial reshuffle on Citi FM, an Accra based radio station.

We are particularly concerned about what he said concerning the former Minister of Tourism, Hon Zita Okaikoi that “Zita, who instead of concentrating on Tourism had to go away to deliver a baby.” This statement is seriously against mothers of this country who sacrifice to serve Ghana in any capacity.

Delivery of babies is a natural burden given to women by the Almighty God and as we all know, it comes with complications and for that matter Mr. Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie (Sir John) as he claims to be knowledgeable, should know better.

We believe he is a family man and will never hesitate in his wife’s delivery abroad if and only he can afford.

The women of MOG know as a matter of fact that the family of Sir John including his wife lives in the United Kingdom and conventional wisdom informs that most of his children were delivered in the UK.

We think that if only Hon. Zita went on a maternity leave, there should not be any problem with where she spends it. Mothers working within almost all the sectors of the economy all legally are entitled to a maternity leave and as such, Hon. Zita can not be an exception. We therefore consider this unguarded statement from Sir John as denigration to mothers who have not committed any crime but only carry babies put in their stomach by the likes of Sir John and demand an unqualified apology from Sir John within the next three (3) working days.

We take this opportunity to plead with H. E. the President of the Republic of Ghana, Prof. John Evans Atta Mills to consider Hon. Zita in his next reshuffle as well as other women of substance.

As Dr. Kwagyir Aggrey said “if you educate a man you educate an individual but if you educate a woman you educate nation”, we implore all and sundry to respect and support women in all aspect of life especially women in politics.

Thanks

SGD Ama Sarpomaa Spokesperson 0208225458