Minister Dzifa Gomashie Condemns Verbal Attack on Female Clerk in Parliament
The Minister for Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts, Dzifa Gomashie, has spoken out against the recent verbal attack on the female Clerk of the Appointments Committee by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin. She described the incident as an intolerable act of intimidation that should not be tolerated.
During her testimony before the special committee set up by Speaker Alban Bagbin to investigate last week’s parliamentary chaos, Mrs. Gomashie recounted the distressing moment when Mr. Afenyo-Markin directed harsh words towards the Clerk, leaving her unable to respond.
As a witness to the incident during the Appointments Committee sitting, the minister expressed deep concern over the treatment meted out to the Clerk. She emphasized the importance of standing up for women in such situations, especially in male-dominated spaces like Parliament.
“I’m a Member of Parliament and blessed to be the Minister for Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts. I am standing on the shoulders of all the women who have fought… to dare to be who I am today. And it was hard for me to watch another woman, who had also worked hard and was here in her capacity as a representative of Parliament, being virtually lynched by a man who should know better,” she stated.
Mrs. Gomashie revealed that Mr. Afenyo-Markin repeatedly threatened the Clerk, saying, ‘I will deal with you’. This prompted her to intervene on the Clerk’s behalf, questioning the Minority Leader’s intentions and standing up for the Clerk’s rights.
Reflecting on her actions, Mrs. Gomashie admitted that shouting across the room was not her typical approach, but in that moment, she felt compelled to defend another woman in distress. She acknowledged the importance of solidarity among women in challenging situations and emphasized the need to speak up against intimidation and abuse.
Her testimony adds to the mounting pressure on Mr. Afenyo-Markin, who has issued an apology to the Clerk but is still facing scrutiny for his actions in Parliament. The incident has sparked a broader conversation about gender dynamics and respect for women in the political sphere.
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