The Fulani Association of Bawku and Binduri chapter in the Upper East region have given a 5-day ultimatum for the opposition National Democratic Congress deputy communication officer in the Binduri district to retract and apologies to Second Lady, Samira Bawumia.
According to the association,the NDC’s Communications Officer, Paul Abagre Ayamba on facebook made sexually abusive comments and ethnocentric comment against the Second Lady and Fulanis in general.
In a press statement copied to A1 News, the disgruntle Fulanis in the Bawku and Binduri chapter who called on the security services to pick Mr. Abagre for questioning believes the comment made has the tendency of “derailing the peace that co-exists between the various tribes in Binduri”.
Failure by government and other stakeholder bodies to act swiftly by taking drastic measures against the NDC communicator, the group warned they will advise themselves.
Read the statement:
PRESS CONFERENCE BY THE FULANI ASSOCIATION OF BAWKU- BINDURI CHAPTER (“PULAAKU” BAWKU) 22nd March 2020.
Good morning ladies and gentlemen of the press and thank you for honoring our invitation to cover this press conference upon your short notice.
We are scandalized and extremely hurt by the event that occasioned this press conference. The Fulani Association of Bawku is an association of all Fulani communities within the Kusaug Traditional Area.
Our attention has been drawn to insulting and ethnocentric comments made by the NDC Deputy Communication Officer for Binduri Constituency, Mr. Paul Abagre Ayamba on Fulani people.
The Second Lady in an interview on Asempa FM “Ekonsii sen” programme which was subsequently published on ghanaweb.com on 10th March 2020 made an intelligent appeal to politicians to always challenge her husband (Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia) with facts rather than throwing insults at him.
In reaction to this harmless appeal, the Deputy Communication Officer made ethnocentric comments against the entire Fulanis in Ghana by describing her as a “Stupid Fulani woman”. What at all have Fulanis done to the Deputy Public Relation Officer of the NDC in Binduri Constituency to warrant this insult? Couldn’t he have responded to her statement without bringing her tribe into it?
We the Fulani Association do not only find these comments as derogatory and ethnocentric but also an attack on all Fulanis and other minority tribes within Binduri and beyond. These tribally segregating comments have the potential of derailing the peace that co-exists between the various tribes in Binduri,
It is equally disturbing to note that Mr Paul Abagre Ayamba, sexually abused the Second Lady, calling her a “prostitute” upon no provocation at all and proceeded to accuse her of infidelity. Mr Abagre wrote (and I quote) “when small boys were f***k**g you, where was your husband?”. These comments are an attack on all women irrespective of their tribe.
It’s a taboo in our tradition for a married woman to engage in an extra-marital affair. We are very scandalized to hear of these allegations against our sister. Our identity and tradition as Fulanis is under attack and we wish Mr. Paul Abagre Ayamba is compelled to substantiate these allegations.
We call on the state security apparatus to act swiftly in defense of Article 17(2) of the 1992 constitution which states, “that no citizen shall be discriminated against on the basis of gender, race or religion” and pick Mr. Paul Abagre Ayamba up for questioning.
Our Association is observing with keen interest, and will advise ourselves on an appropriate course of action in due time, if the state fails to act to protect our identity and culture.
We have noted with great disappointment that since Mr. Abagre’s unprovoked tribal and sexually abusive comments, neither the NDC Constituency Executives nor the MP for Binduri, Hon. Dr Robert Baba Kuganab-Lem has issued any statement to distance themselves and condemn the conduct of the Deputy Communication Director. Why is the NDC party quiet on this issue? Should we understand their silence to mean they validate Mr. Abagre’s comments?
Our Association finds the continuous silence of the NDC Leadership in Binduri as disturbing as the comments made by its Deputy Communications officer. We therefore call on the NDC and Hon. Dr. Robert Baba Kuganab-Lem to do the needful. We specifically call on them to condemn and distance themselves from the comments of the Deputy Communications Officer and institute disciplinary measures against him immediately.
We also call on the Kusaug Traditional Council, the Bawku Inter-Ethnic Peace Committee, Gender Rights Activists, CSO’s, Human Rights Organizations and peace loving Ghanaians to condemn Mr Paul Abagre Ayamba and order him to as a matter of urgency retract these tribal insults and apologize unconditionally to all Fulanis or face our wrath within 5 days.
The group further uses this opportunity to caution all political parties to treat us with outmost respect in their public engagements. The Fulanis are very cognizant of our right to personal dignity. For that matter any attempt to trample upon this right will be met with full resistance going forward.
Thank you.
…Signed…
Kuridu Mohammed Mumuni
(President- Fulani Association of Bawku ( “Pulaaku” Bawku))
0245436045
Abdulai Malik Ayambil
(Vice President- Fulani Association of Bawku ( “Pulaaku” Bawku))
0242030711
Hamidu Sumaila
(Organizer- Fulani Association of Bawku ( “Pulaaku” Bawku))
0243353867
Giima Yerima
( Secretary- Fulani Association of Bawku ( “Pulaaku” Bawku))
0242719853
Sulemana M. Jawo
(Treasurer- Fulani Association of Bawku ( “Pulaaku” Bawku))
0244544769
Cc
Bawku Inter-ethnic Peace Committee.
All Media Houses.
Source:A1radioonline.com|101.1MH|Ghana
Hungry NPP supporters are at it again.