The Women Wing of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Nabdam Constituency is demanding an unambiguous apology from the Upper East Regional Minister.  They responded to what they called an ‘irresponsible comment’ made by the Minister regarding the proposed 24-hour economy by former President John Dramani Mahama. The Minister, Stephen Yakubu, questioned the suitability of the policy for farming communities and suggested that it could threaten conjugal stability in those areas. Mr. Yakubu made these remarks during a festival in Sakote, as seen in a video by ApexnewsGh “The vice president is saying that he understands the region. He says that this 24-hour economy, my brothers, when we work in the farms and we are tired in the night we have to sleep with our wives. “We have to be with our wives. In the night you want us to go and be farming and then people will come and take our wives away?” the minister questioned amidst shouts of no from his audience. In response to what they described as an ‘irresponsible comment’ from the Regional Minister, the Nabdam NDC Women Wing, led by Madam Leticia Yamga, the Constituency Women Organizer, emphasized the importance of educating the Minister. They stated that their contributions to economic advancement should be sincerely acknowledged and should not be reduced to mere sources of sexual exploitation. “Undoubtedly, the heart of Nabdam resonates with the hard work and dedication of women who, in their agricultural endeavours, not only cultivate the land but also foster resilience, determination, and sustenance for their families. Their meticulous care for crops like millet, sorghum, maize, and groundnuts, coupled with their adept livestock management, reflects a deep commitment to supporting their households and actively engaging in the economic prosperity of our region”. Read the full statement below: UTTER CONDEMNATION OF THE UNFOUNDED REMARKS MADE BY THE UPPER EAST REGIONAL MINISTER REGARDING WOMEN AS OBJECTS OF SEXUAL EXPLOITATION BY THE WOMEN’S WING OF THE NABDAM CONSTITUENCY HELD ON 29TH NOVEMBER 2023 AT THE NDC PARTY OFFICE IN NANGODI Dear members of the press, esteemed guests, and fellow citizens, we appreciate your presence this morning, despite the short notice, for this important event. Today, as we gather in the spirit of unity and progress, we find ourselves at a critical juncture in our geopolitical discourse. It is important to celebrate the unwavering spirit of women in the Nabdam Constituency and beyond while addressing the unfortunate delusions that have emerged following a recent irresponsible comment made by the Upper East Regional Minister during Our annual Tenglebgre festival in Sekoti. The comment suggested that “men must return home after work during the day to sleep with their wives at night,” literally reducing women to objects of sexual exploitation. Our purpose goes beyond seeking a retraction of the statement; it is a collective request for a transformative narrative – one that respects, uplifts, and acknowledges the multifaceted contributions of women in our society. Through this platform, we wish to enlighten the Regional Minister about the skilled and valuable contributions of women in our community towards economic advancement. These contributions merit sincere acknowledgement and extend beyond being mere sources of sexual exploitation. Undoubtedly, the heart of Nabdam resonates with the hard work and dedication of women who, in their agricultural endeavours, not only cultivate the land but also foster resilience, determination, and sustenance for their families. Their meticulous care for crops like millet, sorghum, maize, and groundnuts, coupled with their adept livestock management, reflects a deep commitment to supporting their households and actively engaging in the economic prosperity of our region. In alignment with the visionary 24-hour economic policy proposed by H.E. John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), these hardworking women serve as the driving force behind a diversified and dynamic local economy. Their commitment to agriculture goes beyond traditional working hours, forming a crucial foundation for the realization of a thriving economic landscape that operates seamlessly throughout the day. As we celebrate the resilience and contributions of these women, we also recognize the pivotal role they play in advancing the goals of the proposed 24-hour economic policy, ensuring sustained prosperity for our community. Our purpose today is not just to seek a retraction but to promote a narrative that respects and values the multifaceted contributions of women in our community. We want to highlight the hard work of Nabdam’s women in agriculture, showcasing their dedication to crops like millet, sorghum, maize, and groundnuts. These women play a crucial role in supporting their families and actively contributing to the economic prosperity of our region. The shea butter processing industry is another example of our women’s commitment to economic diversification. Through their skilled expertise, they transform raw shea nuts into a product that not only supports local markets but also preserves our cultural heritage. In the bustling markets of Nabdam, our women engage in vibrant trading activities, offering essential goods and services that go beyond traditional working hours. Their craftsmanship in weaving textiles, baskets, and pottery reflects not only our entrepreneurial spirit but also our commitment to preserving cultural heritage. Moreover, the proposed 24-hour economy, as advocated by H.E John Dramani Mahama, is seen as a helpful initiative. The hardworking women of Nabdam Constituency actively contribute to this vision, serving as the driving force behind a diversified and dynamic local economy. However, recent comments by the Upper East Regional Minister have cast a shadow on these achievements, implying that women are merely objects of sexual exploitation. Such remarks are not only disheartening but also perpetuate harmful stereotypes. It is concerning that the Upper East Regional Minister did not address pressing matters such as the high unemployment rate in the region and the country but rather chose to focus on the 24-hour economy initiative. This selective attention detracts from the substantive issues at hand. We call upon the Upper East Regional Minister to retract his statement and issue an unambiguous apology to the women of the Nabdam Constituency, Upper East Region and
