TEIN AUCB Women’s Commission Condemns Afenyo-Markin’s ‘Nobody’ Remark About Nana Yaa Jantuah, Demands Apology

The Women’s Commission of the Tertiary Education Institutions Network (TEIN) at the African University of Communication and Business (AUCB) has strongly condemned remarks allegedly made by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin against senior government official Nana Yaa Jantuah, describing the comments as derogatory, disrespectful, and unacceptable.

In a statement issued on Friday and signed by Women’s Commissioner Jessica Quartey and Deputy Women’s Commissioner Patience Ahedor, the commission expressed concern over comments reportedly made by Afenyo-Markin following the “Democracy Under Attack” demonstration, during which Nana Yaa Jantuah received a petition on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama.

According to the commission, referring to Nana Yaa Jantuah as “a nobody” and suggesting that she was unfit to receive the petition was unbecoming of a national leader and undermined the dignity of a public servant who was lawfully performing an official responsibility assigned by the President.

The commission argued that beyond the personal attack on Nana Yaa Jantuah, the remarks also diminished the dignity of women serving in public office and conveyed the unfortunate message that women in positions of responsibility are less deserving of respect and recognition.

It stated that the comments were particularly troubling because they have wider implications for women’s participation in leadership, warning that such statements could discourage capable women from accepting public leadership roles and reinforce long-standing stereotypes that have hindered women’s advancement.

The Women’s Commission also pointed to what it described as the irony of the remarks being made during a demonstration centred on the theme “Democracy Is Under Attack.”

According to the statement, democracy is not only about the freedom to demonstrate or present petitions but also about respecting the dignity of individuals entrusted with public responsibilities. It said language that belittles a woman carrying out an official assignment contradicts the values of mutual respect, inclusion, and civility that are essential to a healthy democratic society.

The commission further stressed that Nana Yaa Jantuah represented the Office of the President while receiving the petition and that any disrespect directed at her in the performance of that assignment also undermined the dignity of the institution she represented and the professionalism expected within Ghana’s public service.

While reaffirming its respect for the constitutional right of political parties and citizens to organise demonstrations and present petitions, the commission maintained that those rights should always be exercised with civility, decency, and respect for others.

It stated that political disagreements should never descend into personal attacks or language that demeans women serving their country.

The Women’s Commission therefore called on Alexander Afenyo-Markin to retract the alleged remarks and issue an unreserved apology to Nana Yaa Jantuah as well as women serving in Ghana’s democratic and public service institutions.

It said such an apology would demonstrate a commitment to respectful political engagement and reaffirm the importance of treating women in leadership with dignity and respect.

The commission also urged political leaders across all parties to exercise restraint in their public statements and promote a political culture built on respect, tolerance, and constructive engagement.

Reaffirming its commitment to women’s empowerment, the Women’s Commission of TEIN AUCB said it would continue to speak against conduct or rhetoric that undermines the dignity, contributions, and rightful place of women in Ghana’s democratic and governance processes.