NDC Member of Parliament for Daboya Makarigu, Nelson Abudu Baani has rendered a half-hearted apology for suggesting that married women caught having extra-marital affair should be stoned to death.

The MP made the suggestion whilst contributing to debates on the 2013 Intestate Succession bill currently before Parliament.

He said there should be a provision in the bill allowing adulterous women to be stoned to death.

He had argued that since such laws are being implemented in countries such as Saudi Arabia where Ghanaians go and obey them, the Ghanaian law should provide for same.

The Intestate Succession Law (PNDC Law 111) is being reviewed to make it more responsive to the needs of the immediate family of persons who die intestate.

The MP's comments attracted public opprobrium with some women and civil society group asking for his resignation and others asking for an apology.

The latest to criticize him is the Women’s Caucus in Parliament. Esther Obeng Dapaah, Vice President of the Caucus told Joy News the statement was “very unfortunate”.

“What happens to men who commit adultery, should they be stoned?” she questioned.

She promised to draw the attention of the Leadership of the House to the MP's obscurantist views, insisting “we will not allow it to rest”.

But speaking to Elton Brobbey, Joy News’ parliamentary correspondent, Mr. Abudu Baani said he was merely suggesting measures to deter women from cheating on their husbands.

“I am withdrawing it [the use of the word stoning] totally,” he said.

He explained: “The point I was trying to make is…I am not talking about the entire generality of stoning to death. Anyway, well, if what I said, people don’t understand it, I apologize. I am sorry. I am not cruel, I am not cruel; but I only set an example that in some countries, this is what they do but there should be reforms. Other than that after this bill is passed you will see a lot of confusion.”

 

Listen to Abudu Baani