The Programmes Officer for Women in Law and Development Africa (WiLDAF), Abigail Hunu, says the decision by former Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection Otiko Afisa Djaba to quit is one that will affect women’s representation in Ghanaian politics.
Speaking on 3FM’s Sunrise on Wednesday, Ms Hunu stated that there are a few women in politics; hence Otiko’s bow will only make the number smaller.
“We already are grappling with, or not very satisfied with the number of women we have in politics, and having one less is not good for us.”
Otiko Afisa Djaba was re-appointed in a reshuffle by President Nana Akufo-Addo to serve as Ghana’s Ambassador to Italy.
She, however, rejected the appointment and announced that she is bowing out of politics to cater for her family and spend more time with them.
According to the Wildaf Programmes Officer, the group was a bit saddened by the turn of events prior to Otiko’s decision to bow out of politics.
She added that Otiko has immensely contributed towards the country’s development, as well as the development of women.
“She had been one of the very few women who has been very vibrant and has contributed a lot towards Ghana’s development and women’s participation in government.”
Nonetheless, Abigail Hunu stressed that the former minister has every right to say she does not want to continue active politics in Ghana though this will raise the issue of women who engage in unpaid work, which makes them take care of the home at no cost.
According to her, there could be more to Otiko’s reason of going to take care of her sick ex-husband and family.
“On the surface of the reason given, it looks like there could be more to her saying she is quitting politics, and not necessarily that she has to take care of her sick ex-husband. She said she has been doing it for quite some time now I believe.
“Then again, we have paid caregivers that could have been paid to take care of her sick ex-husband without her necessarily having to quit her job, so I think personally, there is more to it than that,” she said.
By Lily Kakra Owusu|3news.com|Ghana