Renowned broadcast journalist Afia Pokua has condemned remarks attributed to the Ashanti Regional Minister about Madam Akosua Manu, describing them as offensive and inappropriate, while urging him to delete the social media post that sparked widespread criticism.
In a strongly worded reaction, Afia Pokua said she was disappointed by the minister’s conduct, warning that such actions could harm his political prospects.
“Oh No! Ashanti Regional Minister, the way I’m invested in your success, eh? Acts like this are not only offensive but will derail your political future,” she wrote. She argued that attacks of that nature contribute to the reluctance of many women to participate in politics.
“Women don’t want to be part of politics because of offensive attacks like these,” the broadcaster stated.
She also questioned the appropriateness of the comments, particularly at a time when the minister’s wife had recently given birth. “In the same month, when your wife has a baby through the same means? Aaba?” she wrote.
Afia Pokua called on the minister to remove the post, describing it as unnecessary and disrespectful.
“Please delete this post. It is utterly offensive and needless,” she said, adding that political competition should never justify crossing certain boundaries. “Politics should never make us cross some lines irrespective of provocation especially on a normal political debate.”
Her comments add to growing criticism of the alleged remarks. Earlier, the Gender Centre for Empowering Development (GenCED) issued a statement condemning what it described as sexually suggestive, degrading and misogynistic attacks against Madam Akosua Manu.
The organisation said such conduct undermines women’s political participation and called for an immediate end to sexist and sexually offensive rhetoric in Ghana’s political discourse.
