Hajia Alima Mahama, Ursula Owusu Ekuful and Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey

LOCAL GOVERNMENT and Rural Development Minister, Hajia Alima Mahama, has called for a debate with individuals and groups criticising President Nana Akufo-Addo for his recent comments on giving opportunities to women.

Contributing to a recent panel discussion at Women Deliver Global Conference 2019 held in Vancouver, Canada, President Akufo-Addo had suggested that women needed empowerment to be able to make decision.

However, 30-year-old Arab feminist, Alaa Murabit, disagreed with Mr. Akufo-Addo, saying that a lot of women already empowered but have been suppressed by systematic structures that closes doors to women.

According to her, “it is incredibly important to recognize that there are dynamic incredible women that the door remains closed to.”

President Akufo-Addo responded to her claim swiftly, noting that “what you are saying will not open doors.”

The President was insistent that more and more women should be empowered to rise to the level where they can be able to make decisions about their societies, nations and the world in general just as their male counterparts.

However, some persons have been trying hard to question the President’s commitment to women and his understanding of women’s issues or welfare.

But addressing the media on Friday, June 7, 2019 at the Information Ministry in Accra, Madam Mahama said the critics do not understand what they are saying.

She noted there was absolutely nothing wrong with what the President has said, indicating that the critics were only trying to mislead Ghanaian women.

They should not mislead the women of this country, she said, pointing out the President’s strong commitment to the empowerment of women.

She recounted that it was the President who passed Domestic Violence Act during his tenure as Attorney General.

According to her, the fact that the President agreed to attend the Conference in Canada showed that he was commitment to women empowerment.