Al Wahab Farouk, an International Diplomatic Consultant, has said the women empowerment slogan is a political statement by women to make money.
He made these comments on Happy FM’s political show ‘Epa Hoa Daben’ in reaction to president Nana Addo’s contribution at the Women Deliver Conference in Canada, where he was believed to have said he is yet to see dynamism in Ghanaian women.
‘’There are several women advocates in Ghana who are empowering. They train women in cassava and Gari making. Is that empowerment? The women empowerment is a diplomatic stance to make money. It all started at the famous Beijing Conference. In any case what kind of empowerment does a first lady need or a woman with a Masters Degree or PHD?’’ he quizzed.
He also said Nana Addo is not the first person to fall prey to women activists and what they want to hear during discussions on issues relating to women empowerment.
‘’These women are very intelligent and they are speaking on topics that are rehearsed. Men who are invited to such podiums are easily flawed by these gender activists. Every president that is invited to that podium is mocked by them. It happened to George Bush, Tony Blair and several others,’’ he added.
Al Wahab Farouk also spoke about how he expected Nana Addo to answer the question posed to him by the moderator of the event.
‘’I expected Nana to mention the women in his government. So it becomes country specific. You cannot use a political speech on a world scene. What happens in Togo is not his business,” he advised.
In reacting to the young activist touching the president, he said
‘’The lady is from Canada where they operate an open door policy. Culturally, the power distance in Ghana is higher compared to the Western world. Do you remember someone threw a shoe at George Bush? Can anyone try that here in Ghana?’’
‘’Here because of inferiority complex we practice unnecessary diplomatic respect. In Ghana at press conferences they pick and choose who can ask a question and who cannot. Elsewhere that is not the case,’’ he reiterated.
However, in September, 1995 the year of 50th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, participating governments including Ghana, signed the Beijing Declaration at Fourth World Conference on women. Which is to advance the goals of equality, development and peace for all women everywhere in the interest of all humanity. Acknowledging the voices of all women everywhere and taking note of the diversity of women and their roles and circumstances, honouring the women who paved the way and inspired by the hope present in the world’s youth.
By: Bridget Mensah