Akufo-Addo Didn't Fondle Me - GBC Make-Up Artist

Allegations from government officials that the presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in 2008, had sexually harassed a female makeup artist at Ghana Television (GTV) has turned out to be a lie as the supposed sex victim has categorically denied the allegation.

The said makeup artist Janet Owusu Darkwa, has expressed shock and disappointment at the allegations which were spewed out by a section of the rented NDC press and repeated on radio by a deputy Minister for Works and Housing, Hanna Louisa Bissiw, and the Executive Director of the Ghana Free Zones Boarad (GFZB), Kojo Twum-Boafo.

“it wasn’t true. Please, I did the make-up for him but that is not the issue…I wasn’t alone in the make-up room. Me and two colleagues…! It wasn’t like that. We were three in the make-up room, Linda Odoi and Priscilla Nkansah. How can he do that to me?” Janet stated in an interview with Peace FM and Okay FM on Thursday Morning, a day after the allegations hit the airwaves.

Janet said she remembered vividly that she did the make-up for Nana Addo on December 5, 2008 but she was not harassed or abused in anyway.

Hannah Bissiw, on Wednesday, insisted on Radio Gold morning show that Nana Addo had fondled the breasts of Janet Owusu Dankwa and that they had a video evidence to back their claim courtesy Daily Post newspaper.

Dr. Bissiw, in particular, called on women groups and gender activists to speak up against Nana Addo, as according to her, his conduct amounted to an abuse on women.

Daily Guide’s checks showed that while in the make-up room, the make-up artists were alerted that the programme was about to start so they should hurry up for Nana Addo to go on air.

The candidate, on hearing that it was time to go on air, got up from his seat and quickly dusted his hands with a towel held by Janet.

The lady, apparently, was unaware that Nana Addo would use the towel but the entire episode happened within two to three seconds.

The video, which is currently a hit on YouTube and circulating on Facebook, is an excerpt from Jarreth Merz’s documentary on Ghana’s 2008 elections entitled, ‘An African Election’.