21 Century Ghanaian Feminism: Upstaging Male-Domination

The emancipation of the Ghanaian woman should not create edginess in the minds of the Ghanaian men. After all, having a strong-minded woman harmonizes the contributions of other familial actors to bring stability into the family unit. Men who are alarmed by the liberation of Ghanaian women, and view women’s newly-founded voice as a parallel power bloc to challenge male- domination need some lessons on twenty-first century gender-egalitarianism, and women’s invaluable contributions to national development. In my opinion, there is no adversarial relationship between the browbeaten Ghanaian woman and her dominant male partner. Contrary to scripted tales on the subject of inter-sex hostilities, what the former seeks from the latter is respect, and involvement in household policies.

The use of the functionalists’ systems of beliefs to minimize the value of Ghanaian women must be challenged, and discounted. The oppressive shield that once constrained women’s agitations in the twentieth century, and which kept them in the kitchen and market must be interrogated and remedied. In twenty-first century Ghana, the introduction of a feminist curriculum at the Junior Secondary School level with spotlight on Women’s rights is crucial in emerging campaigns to protect women’s rights in the nation’s inhospitable cultural arena. Matter of fact, empowering women to reclaim their reproductive rights among a spectrum of other civil liberties will lessen needless economic burdens on the nation’s treasury.

What does feminism mean to the twenty-first century Ghanaian male? Why should some of the nation’s brightest men be petrified of a theory, and a popular mass movement seeking to educate society on the historical and contemporary injustices that confront women, and young girls? Despite the dawn of accessible education, many Ghanaian men mistake feminism for lesbianism. The preceding concepts are different. A woman’s right to be respected, and treated as an equal actor, and a useful member of society has nothing to do with sexual orientation. Sadly, and with prejudice, some male crystal gazers on Ghanaweb have attributed my strong feminist views to menopause, and lesbianism. What do these unruly commentators make of men with strong convictions? Nothing, I guess. To them, it is perfect to minimize a woman’ self-worth, and overrate men’s social stature.

As women, we cannot let men who have little knowledge of women’s experiential speak for us. The modern Ghanaian woman cannot depend on breakable assurances, and fictive constitutional provisions that work against her? Those who believe in male superiority over women underestimate the power of women. Like their male actors, Ghanaian women are capable actors, and can demand equal rights from the state without submitting to the impositions of society’s patriarchs. The emerging class Ghanaian women are not part of the old order. They are an unnoticeable subgroup of educated, talented, and skilled individuals whose experience extends beyond the narrow margins of the kitchen.

Twenty-first century Ghanaian feminism is not exclusionary, nor anti-men as some would contend. It is a positive space, with inclusive values. Matter of fact, Ghanaian men can join the emerging feminist revolution to help convey the tolerant philosophy of the movement to closed societies where “malecentric” ideas are still widespread. As most men here would agree, changing times require a change of attitude towards Ghanaian women.

In the Scandinavia, we have seen the benefits of gender-balanced policies. The Tanja Harkonens, and the Angela Merkels, of the world have proven that women have the wit, courage, and confidence to become good leaders despite society’s imposed tags that we are the weaker sex, and should be denied access to the centres of political power. In recent years, the world has seen Liberia, Chile, and Argentina elect women-president. Maybe, in 2008, American voters will elect Hilary Rodham Clinton to become the first female president of the United States of America. Like their international sisters, Ghanaian women must look within themselves, and launch a national revolution to upstage male domination in public spaces.

Women have the numerical majority, and can make the unthinkable happen. The time has come for women across the nation’s political divide to narrow their differences to fight for a just cause that has eluded Ghanaian women since the conception and birth of the Ghanaian nation-state. Forming a women-centered political party with Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, Madam Theresa Kufuor, Fulera Limann, Amma Atta-Adu, Miss Joyce Aryee, and Mary Grant among other unnamed women-figures as leaders will undo some of the nation’s cultural deficiencies, and the suppositions that Ghanaian men are superior to their female counterparts. Changes must come, and they surely will. Hope all well. Good day and cheers.

Views expressed by the author(s) do not necessarily reflect those of GhanaHomePage.