NPP backs 'slapped minister', condemns Mahama & Haruna

The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has slammed the assault on the Deputy Minister of Women and Children's Affairs, Hajia Gariba Boya, allegedly masterminded by some senior government officials.

The minister on Monday accused the Minister for Communications, Haruna Iddrisu and the Spokesperson for the President, John Jinapor of organizing hoodlums to pounce on her on Saturday at a saloon, where she had gone to braid her hair.

In a press statement signed by the party's National Women's Organizer, Otiko Djaba and released in Accra on Monday, the NPP described the action of the duo as unacceptable and one that violates the national constitution.

The statement further accused President John Mahama of complexity, saying he showed no concern in resolving the impasse when it was officially reported to him, as claimed by Hajia Boya.

“The allegations made by the Deputy Minister for Women and Children Affairs suggests that President John Mahama is also uncaring as far as women rights are concerned,” the statement added.

It continued: “The NDC continues to show and engage in violence from the highest level of government (Presidency) to the lowest level and also at the party level.

Since 2009, when the NDC assumed administration of the country, the violence that has engulfed the nation has been gargantuan. From the seizure of toilets, bridges, NHIS

offices, DCE offices, toll booths, chasing and threatening Ministers with death. Even the National Headquarters of the party was taken hostage by some party supporters.”

These forms of sadistic attitudes towards the masses, particularly women is a threat to national stability and cohesion, the statement pointed out.

It was in this direction that the party urged the clergy and civil society organizations to speak out against violence meted out women in the country, and called for absolute rejection of the NDC in the December polls.