Majority demands apology for 'bloody widow' tag; Minority defends tag

The Majority in parliament has called on the Minority side to render an unqualified apology to the wife on the late Kyerematen Agyarko, Lydia Alhassan for tagging her a "bloody widow" before her swearing in as the Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon on Tuesday.

Speaking on the floor of Parliament, the Majority 1st Deputy Chief Whip, Matthew Nyindam, described the minority's tag on Lydia Alhassan as an attack on women in parliament which is also a discrimination against women at large, quoting article (12)clause (2) of the constitution.

However, the Minority insists the attack wasn't on Lydia Alhassan but rather in protest of the violence that occurred at the Ayawaso West Wuogon during the 31st January by-election.

Speaking on the issue, James Afedzi added that Lydia Alhassan wasn't attacked as a Member of Parliament since she wasn't sworn in when the Minority walked out yesterday.

Meanwhile, the women of the Majority Caucus have expressed gross disappointment in the attitude and language of the Minority members.

Speaking at a press conference, Deputy Majority Leader, Sarah Adwoa Safo described the act as a "disrespectful and inhumane treatment and an attack on the dignity and integrity of womanhood".

She said the attack was brutal and "unparliamentary" according to Order 93 (2).

The MP for Dome-Kwabenya added that the Minority must bow their heads in shame and render an unqualified apology to Lydia Alhassan as expected of the honourable members.

"We the women of the majority caucus are grossly disappointed in the attitude and language of the minority against members again Lydia Alhassan on the various placards displayed in the chamber yesterday."

"We hereby condemn in no uncertain terms the act of the minority, a rather disrespectful and inhumane treatment and an attack on the dignity and integrity of womanhood," she added.