Ghana's Political Firestorm: Nana Yaa Jantuah Slams Afenyo-Markin's 'Disrespectful' Remarks

Presidential Staffer Nana Yaa Akyenpim Jantuah has strongly criticized Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin following remarks she deemed disrespectful during the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) petition presentation at the Jubilee House. The incident occurred on Thursday, August 6, after the NPP's 'Democracy Under Attack' demonstration, where Afenyo-Markin publicly described Jantuah as “a nobody.”

Nana Yaa Jantuah clarified that she was at the Jubilee House by direct instruction from President John Dramani Mahama to receive the petition on his behalf. The President's decision stemmed from his and other senior government officials', including the Chief of Staff, unavailability as they were attending the national commemoration ceremony for victims of the August 6 helicopter crash. She underscored that she was acting in the stead of the President of the Republic of Ghana.

Upon her arrival, Nana Yaa Jantuah observed the NPP leadership protesting her presence from a distance, with members like Nana B and Justin Kodua expressing reluctance to present the petition to her. Despite witnessing these objections and internal discussions among the NPP delegation, she deliberately chose not to respond. “I saw the reactions but, for the first time, I kept quiet, and everybody thought I should react. I didn't open my mouth because I was standing there in the stead of the President of the Republic of Ghana,” she explained on Asempa FM’s Ekosiisen.

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, in presenting the petition, explicitly stated, “With great respect to you and without prejudice to your presence, to nominate only you to come amount to disrespecting us as a political party. I'm the leader of the party in parliament. You have the General Secretary of the party here. You have the Chief of Staff of the flagbearer. We have the Chairman of the Constitutional Affairs Committee of the party. The Members of Parliament and the leadership of parliament are all here. But to disrespect our democracy by only nominating you to come, like I said, with great deference to you, it doesn't match it. So it means that the government does not even take serious the grave issues before us. That notwithstanding, we are democrats and we would want to respect.”

Nana Yaa Jantuah expressed profound shock and mortification at Afenyo-Markin’s remarks, stating she could not comprehend how he could tell a woman she is "nobody" in public. She argued that such comments were not only disrespectful to her but also undermined the office she represented and, by extension, the President who delegated her. She questioned why none of the other opposition leaders present challenged Afenyo-Markin's remarks, suggesting their silence amounted to endorsement. Jantuah asserted, “The NPP wants respect, but they do not know how to give respect, especially to women.”

Defending her personal and professional credentials, Nana Yaa Jantuah highlighted her extensive background, stating, “If we take out this political office, I have achieved a lot in life. I started working at GIPC, I'm well educated, I'm from a good home, and my father is a well-trained lawyer.” She also emphasized her seniority, noting, “I am old enough to be your mother. Afenyo-Markin is a small boy in my eyes. Who is he to disrespect me? He should never try that again.” She insisted that she occupies a senior position within government and rejected any suggestion that she was not senior enough to receive the petition.

In response to the incident, Nana Yaa Jantuah has announced her intention to petition the Speaker of Parliament. She stated that she would proceed with the petition if Alexander Afenyo-Markin fails to retract his “inappropriate and unacceptable” comments. She maintained her focus on fulfilling her assigned responsibility despite the criticism, and also questioned the validity of the petition presented, alleging it was unsigned. Jantuah concluded by emphasizing the importance of public officials maintaining respect in political engagements, particularly when interacting with women.