Lydia Seyram Alhassan and John Dumelo
The Widows Association in the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency in Accra has strongly condemned John Dumelo’s recent allegations against the MP for the area, Lydia Seyram Alhassan, calling them “egregious” and “unsubstantiated”.
The uncultured NDC parliamentary candidate John Dumelo accused Alhassan of being responsible for her late husband’s death during a TV3 public program.
“We view Mr. Dumelo’s comments as an attack not only on Hon. Lydia Seyram Alhassan but on all widows in Ghana,” said the Association in a statement.
“His words are a painful reminder of the stigmatization and discrimination that widows often face in our society.”
Historically, this is not the first time John Dumelo has made personal attacks on Seyram Alhassan.
In 2020, he faced backlash for similar comments.
The Association noted that Dumelo’s statements are a “betrayal” of Ghanaian cultural values, which emphasize respect, empathy, and compassion towards widows.
“Mr. Dumelo’s comments are a stark departure from the decency and respect that should characterize our public discourse,” said the Association.
“We stand in solidarity with Hon. Lydia Seyram Alhassan and support any legal action she may take to defend her reputation and seek justice.”
Alhassan, a widow herself, has been a symbol of empowerment for many women in Ghana.
Her leadership in Parliament and contributions as former Deputy Majority Chief Whip have been commendable.
However, the Association called on Ghanaians to reject “divisive and harmful rhetoric” and promote a society where widows and women are treated with respect and dignity.
“We will not tolerate derogatory and unfounded attacks on women, particularly widows,” said the Association. “We call on all Ghanaians to stand with us in promoting a society where widows and all women are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.”
NDC Defensive Mechanism
The comments made by John Dumelo, accusing Lydia Alhassan of killing her husband, Emmanuel Kyeremanteng Agyarko to become MP, have sparked widespread outrage.
However, what is even more striking is the deafening silence from NDC women, who have historically been vocal about issues of gender and politics.
In the past, NDC women like Nana Oye Bampoe Addo and Hanna Bissiw have been quick to condemn perceived slights against their female colleagues.
In 2016, they led a chorus of outrage when a male NPP politician made derogatory comments about an NDC female MP.
The NDC women staged demonstrations, held press conferences, and demanded an apology from the NPP politician.
However, in the case of Dumelo’s comments, the NDC women have been eerily silent.
This selective outrage raises questions about their commitment to gender equality and their willingness to speak out against injustice, regardless of political affiliation.
The silence from NDC women can be seen as a tacit endorsement of Dumelo’s comments, which is troubling. It suggests that they are willing to overlook or downplay offensive behavior when it comes from within their ranks.
This hypocrisy is not new to the NDC. In 2020, the party’s women’s wing was criticized for their silence when one of their own, a female MP, was accused of engaging in corrupt practices.
The NDC’s selective outrage and hypocrisy undermine their credibility on issues of gender and politics.
-BY Daniel Bampoe