John Dramani Mahama, the flag bearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), has said his next administration will pass a legislation to abate religious discrimination.
Mahama says despite the right to belong to any religion of one’s faith, some persons, particularly female Muslims, are discriminated against in some places in the country.
The NDC flag bearer says although Catholic nuns are able to wear their veil in any cooperate environment, Muslims are sometimes restricted from putting on their hijab in same settings.
Speaking in Twi at the Great Hall of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) at the launch of the party’s Women’s Manifesto Monday, September 30, 2024, the former President said the next NDC administration will protect such women by passing a law to give everyone the freedom to wear whatever they want to any part of the country.
“Catholic nuns are allowed to wear their veil but usually Muslim women are stopped from wearing their hijab to work. We are going to make a law where people cannot be prevented from wearing what their religion requires. You can wear what your religion says to work or any other place,” Mahama assured.
He added that he will add an additional month to maternity leave and a one-week paternity leave for married men whose wives give birth.
“We’ll increase maternity to four months. Because it if from the fourth month the mother starts weaning the baby. That means the child can start eating in bits before the woman can resume work.
“The men would also enjoy paternity leave whilst the women enjoy four months. That will be a one week period for the man to go and help the woman,” he stated.
“So, the men should ensure they apply for the paternity leave when the woman is your wife not your ‘sidechicks’. Before you get that, you’ll have to provide the child’s birth certificate with the name of both you and the mother,” he stated.
Full Text: Speech delivered by John Mahama at launch of NDC Women’s Manifesto
