Sunyani: Dr Freda Prempeh, a former Deputy Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, has petitioned the Speaker of Parliament to compel Mr. Yakubu Mohammed, the Member of Parliament for Ahafo Ano South East Constituency, to apologise publicly over his comments directed to a minor in Parliament.
According to Ghana News Agency, during an educational visit to Parliament last month, Mr. Mohammed told a pupil of the Citadel School, "You're very beautiful, when you grow up, I will marry you." This comment was captured in a video that has since gone viral on social media, drawing significant public criticism, particularly from child rights advocates.
Dr. Prempeh, also a former MP and the founder of the Ultimate Women Foundation (UWF), reacted by describing the MP's comment as unfortunate and unacceptable, noting that it breached the Children Act 1998 (Act 560). She emphasized that the UWF is committed to empowering indigenous women and girls by addressing challenges that hinder their growth and development.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Sunyani, Dr. Prempeh highlighted that Section 14 of Act 560 criminalises "promising to marry a girl who is under the age of 18 years." She expressed regret that the MP's comments constituted a "betrothal" or child marriage agreement, which is strictly illegal under the Act.
Dr. Prempeh asserted, "We shouldn't tolerate such unguarded, unfortunate and inappropriate comments from a legislator and elected official, and we must strongly kick against that." She further noted that merely apologising in the media is neither the right nor appropriate course of action.
She called upon the Speaker of Parliament to mandate a public apology from Mr. Mohammed in Parliament, where the inappropriate remark was made, to the girl's family, Parliament, and the Ghanaian public at large.