Pressure mounts on Lydia Alhassan to sue John Dumelo over “Bloody Widow” comment

The Majority Women’s Caucus in Ghana’s Parliament has urged their colleague, Hon. Lydia Seyram Alhassan, the sitting Member of Parliament (MP) for the Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency, to take legal action against Mr. John Dumelo, the NDC parliamentary candidate for the same constituency. The Caucus is rallying behind Alhassan in response to what they describe as malicious allegations made by Dumelo.

In a press statement delivered by Hon. Patricia Appiah-Adjei, Deputy Majority Leader and MP for Asokwa, the Caucus expressed its deep dismay and strong condemnation of Dumelo’s unfounded claims. The allegations, made during a recent TV3 event, suggested that Hon. Seyram Alhassan was involved in the death of her late husband to facilitate her own election to Parliament.

“The outrageous and contemptible statement is not only a vicious attack on Hon. Lydia Seyram Alhassan but also an insult to all women who work tirelessly in their communities and serve the nation in leadership positions,” the statement read.

The Caucus fully supports Alhassan’s decision to seek legal recourse. They encourage her to pursue the matter in court, where Dumelo will be required to substantiate his baseless claims. The Caucus believes that legal action will serve as a strong deterrent against anyone attempting to slander or defame women for political gain.

The statement also called on political actors and the public to engage in respectful, truthful, and decent discourse, avoiding personal attacks that undermine democratic processes.

“The progress of our democracy relies on the ability of all participants to engage in meaningful debates on ideas and policies without resorting to unfounded and disrespectful allegations,” the statement emphasized.

The Caucus noted that Dumelo’s remarks represent a grave deviation from Ghanaian cultural values, which traditionally emphasize respect and empathy toward women and widows.

As Deputy Majority Chief Whip of the 7th Parliament of the 4th Republic, Hon. Alhassan has played a crucial role in the legislative process and has earned respect and admiration for her dedication to public service, including her work as Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources.

The Caucus criticized Dumelo for his reckless remarks, questioning whether his comments imply similar accusations against other MPs, such as Hon. Linda Ohenewa Akweley Ocloo of Shai Osudoku, who also assumed office following the sudden death of her husband.

By S.O. Ankamah