Bawku-Binduri Chapter of Fulani Association (PULAAKU BAWKU) has called on the Deputy Communication officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Binduri Constituency, Paul Abagre Ayamba, to as urgently apologize or face their wrath for describing the second lady Samira Bawumia as a “stupid Fulani woman”.
The association said they are scandalized and extremely hurt by the ethnocentric comment made by the NDC’s communication officer, cautioning all political party’s to treat them with utmost respect in their public engagements. He emphasized that they are very cognizant of their rights to personal dignity and will resist any attempt to trample upon their right.
This was contained in a press statement issued, signed by Karidu Mohammed Mumuni, the President of the Association and copied to Ghananewsonline.com.gh on behalf of all fulani communities within the Kusaug Traditional Area.
“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 the Second Lady as a “Stupid Fulani woman” the statement reads.
The statement continue to question “What at all have Fulani’s 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”.
They cautioned that, tribally segregating comments have the potential of derailing the peace that co-exists between the various tribes in Binduri, stressing that Paul Abagre Ayamba was heard sexually abusing the second lady, calling her a “prostitute”.
The Fulanis Association noted that there are an attacks on all women irrespective of their tribe calling on the state security apparatus to act swiftly by picking the deputy communication officer for questioning in defense of articles 17(2) 1992 Constitution “no citizen shall discriminated against, on the basis gender, race or religion”.
“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, 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”
Mr. Kuridu Mohammed Mumuni noted with disappointment the silence of the NDC Constituency executives and the member of Parliament for the area Hon. Dr. Robert Baba Kuganab-Lem over Abagre’s unprovoked tribal and sexually abusive comments entreating them as a matter of urgency issue a statement to distance themselves or condemn the conduct of their communications officer.
“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”.
Source: William Dei-Gyau