Broadcast journalist Abdul-Hayi Moomen has strongly criticized Gomoa Central Member of Parliament, Kwame Asare Obeng, popularly known as Kwame A-Plus, for making a remark he perceives as disrespectful towards Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang.
A-Plus recently caused a stir when he publicly expressed his displeasure over the gesture made by former President Nana Akufo-Addo, who stood up to greet Vice President Opoku-Agyemang during the 68th Independence Anniversary celebration. In his comment, A-Plus compared the former president’s action to his previous demands that chiefs rise to greet him, suggesting a contradiction in his behavior. He emphasized this difference as evidence of a double standard.
Moomen, a seasoned journalist known for his candid commentary, took to social media to address A-Plus’s comments, calling them disrespectful and questioning the logic behind them. He criticized A-Plus for bringing gender into the discussion, stressing that the focus should be on respect, not the Vice President’s gender. Moomen expressed his concerns in a post that read: “What does the gender of the Vice President have to do with the respect she was accorded? Would A-Plus have made the same point if the Vice President were a man? Is he suggesting that because she is a woman, she deserves less respect?”
In his words, he said “A-Plus, what has gender got to do with Akufo Addo standing to greet the vice president?”.
Moomen further questioned whether A-Plus was implying that the former president should have remained seated to greet the Vice President, arguing that the emphasis should be on the principles of good governance and mutual respect, regardless of gender.
In his post, Moomen called for a change in the discourse surrounding public figures and their actions, urging the public to move away from outdated gender stereotypes and to engage in discussions that focus on the values and principles of leadership. He also pointed out that while former President Akufo-Addo’s past demands for respect may have been controversial, moments of humility and respect, like the one shown to the Vice President, should also be acknowledged.
The exchange between Moomen and A-Plus has sparked wider discussions about respect, leadership, and gender equality in Ghanaian politics. Critics and supporters alike have weighed in, debating the significance of the former president’s gesture and whether gender plays a role in the respect accorded to public officials.
This debate underscores the ongoing need for conversations about leadership, gender dynamics, and the expectations placed on public figures in Ghana. It also highlights the broader societal conversation about respect and equality that continues to evolve in the country.
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