Accra: Presidential Staffer Nana Yaa Jantuah has publicly criticized Minority Leader Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin for addressing her as a 'nobody' during the presentation of a petition, describing his behavior as disrespectful. Jantuah stated that she was appointed by President John Dramani Mahama to receive the petition on behalf of the presidency but faced derogatory remarks from the Minority Leader.
According to Ghana Web, Jantuah expressed her displeasure on Asempa FM, asserting that Afenyo-Markin had no right to speak to her in such a manner, emphasizing that she is old enough to be his mother. "Afenyo-Markin, I am not your classmate. I am old enough to be his mother. How old is Afenyo-Markin?" she questioned, highlighting her seniority in age and professional experience.
Jantuah also criticized the Minority Leader for calling her a "nobody," emphasizing her successful career outside of politics and her respected family background. She pointed out her work history with the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) before Afenyo-Markin's entry into politics and labeled his comments as unwarranted.
She further questioned, "How did we get to this point that Afenyo-Markin can look me in the face and call me a nobody?" Jantuah detailed her accomplishments and her family's prestigious background, stating, "I've worked hard and come from a family where my father is an Oxford-trained lawyer."
Jantuah described herself as a senior government official and condemned Afenyo-Markin's public remarks, suggesting they were inappropriate, especially coming from a public figure. She added, "I am a senior government official, and you, Afenyo-Markin, led your party to opposition as a Majority Leader."
In response to the incident, Jantuah declared her intention to petition the Speaker of Parliament to demand a retraction from Afenyo-Markin. "I am going to petition the Speaker to let Afenyo-Markin withdraw what he said to me. I am mortified that he could stand there and look in my face to tell me I am a nobody," she concluded.
The altercation occurred during the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) 'Democracy Under Attack' demonstration, organized to address concerns regarding governance, rule of law, and Ghana's democratic state. During the event, thousands marched against the government, protesting selective prosecutions and arbitrary arrests. Nana Yaa Jantuah was present to receive the petition on behalf of the government, leading to the contentious exchange with Afenyo-Markin.