The Gender Centre for Empowering Development (GenCED) has criticised Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin’s conduct during the presentation of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) petition at the Jubilee House, describing his treatment of Presidential Staffer Nana Yaa Akyenpim Jantuah as unfortunate.

The gender advocacy organisation said the incident raises concerns about how women in public leadership and administrative positions are treated, particularly when carrying out official responsibilities.

In a statement issued on Friday, August 7, and signed by its Executive Director, Esther Tawiah, GenCED said political differences should not affect the dignity and respect accorded public officials.

“Regardless of political differences or disagreements, all public officials deserve to be treated with dignity and respect while carrying out their official responsibilities,” the group stated.

The controversy followed the NPP’s “Democracy Under Attack” demonstration on Thursday, August 6, when Nana Yaa Jantuah was assigned by the Presidency to receive the party’s petition on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama.

Mr Afenyo-Markin, who led the NPP delegation, questioned the decision, arguing that the level of leadership present at the demonstration required a more senior representative from the Presidency to receive the document.

He argued that the choice of Ms Jantuah did not reflect the seriousness of the issues raised by the opposition party.

GenCED, however, said actions or comments that diminish a woman performing an official duty risk reinforcing stereotypes that continue to affect women’s participation in leadership.

The group warned that such conduct could undermine efforts to promote greater inclusion and equality in governance, particularly at a time Ghana is advancing measures to improve women’s representation in public life.

“Political leaders have a responsibility to model respectful engagement and contribute to building a political culture that values inclusion, equality, and institutional respect,” GenCED said.

Nana Yaa Jantuah later expressed disappointment over the comments attributed to the Minority Leader, saying she felt disrespected because she was acting as a representative of the President and not in her personal capacity.

“I’m so mortified that you could stand there and look in the face of a woman and tell that woman she is nobody. I just cannot comprehend what happened,” she said in an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosiisen.

She maintained that the focus should have been on the concerns contained in the NPP’s petition rather than questioning the person designated to receive it.

The NPP has since defended Mr Afenyo-Markin’s position, arguing that the issue was about the status of the delegation and the level of representation provided by the Presidency.

The Minority Leader later shared a video of a similar objection raised by former Minority Leader Dr Cassiel Ato Forson during an opposition demonstration, appearing to draw comparisons between the two incidents.

GenCED urged all political actors to reflect on the incident and promote respectful engagement regardless of political affiliation or gender.

“Respect for women in leadership is not a partisan matter; it is a democratic imperative,” the group added.