The People’s National Convention (PNC) has taken a bold and unique stance in the face of allegations surrounding Former Sanitation Minister, Madam Cecilia Dapaah, who is accused of embezzling over $1 million from state funds.
While public outrage and condemnation have been the prevailing sentiment, the PNC’ decision to stand by Dapaah has sparked a nationwide conversation about gender equality, justice, and the role of state institutions in addressing corruption. In a remarkable move, the PNC has expressed its support for Dapaah, echoing the importance of due process, natural justice, and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
” Despite our claims that there are state institutions in place to deal with situations of this sort, we pollute these institutions by believing rumours, which only serves to further alienate women from politics. The so-called state institutions’ claim of fighting corruption only comes into full gear when women are involved. They throw stones at these women without giving them a fair hearing. This violates the constitution of our country which has mandated all persons to experience natural justice before passing judgement” PNC said.
The party acknowledges that while state institutions are in place to handle such situations, rumoursasty judgments often undermine their efficacy. The PNC’s statement points out a disturbing trend where allegations of corruption involving women are treated differently, with state institutions seeming to spring into action only when women are implicated.
The party’s stance is rooted in the belief that these actions not only violate the principles of natural justice but also go against the very essence of Ghana’s constitution, which explicitly mandates equality before the law, irrespective of gender. The PNC argues that treating women accused of corruption unfairly not only harms the individuals but also perpetuates gender inequality and hampers women’ s participation in politics.