Accra, Ghana, July 28, 2019//-The Kumasi Women Caucus in Parliament has taken Prophet Emmanuel Badu Kobi, Pastor of Glorious Wave Church International to the cleaners for making derogatory remarks about Ashanti, Fanti and Ewe women.
In a statement signed by Orphelia Prempeh-Kesie and Nana Ama Asantewaa Kwarkoh the women said, “We have taken notice of a video circulating on social media in which Mr. Badu Kobi, a Pastor at the Glorious Wave Church International, alleges to denigrate Ghanaian women from particular ethnic origins.”
“In this video, he allegedly describes Ashanti, Fante, and Ewe women with words that no gentleman or lady should say to any woman. For decent reasons, we will not re-echo the unprintable words. We seek to condemn his comments without reservation. His comments were distasteful, backward, and showed his lack of respect for women.”
They submitted the following for his consideration:
- It is to be expected that such a person (leader of a church) would have, at least, a basic understanding of the effects of tribal and ethnic bigotry on the coherence of the Ghanaian society.
His divisive comments suggest that some women are better than others simply because of their ethnic origins. This, we contend, is very unfortunate especially when it is not supported by an reasonable scientific logic.
His comments are based on unfounded logics, stereotypes, and are ill-conceived. Such bigotry and ill-reasoning, we suggest, should not have a place among right thinking Ghanaians.
- To elect a church platform to horn such derogatory comments was not prudent. It is even more disturbing when you consider the fact that some of the female congregants may belong to the very ethnic groups he busily insulted.
Above all, there were women in the church and he should have exercised good discretion not to insult their sensitivities.
- Badu Kobi is an adult with a right to self-determine who he marries. Really; that is not an issue in contention. However, we seek to point out that contrary to Kobi’s misguided reasoning, it must be emphasized that Ghanaian women including Ashanti, Ewe, and Fante women are hardworking, respectful and intelligent women who seek gentlemen that adore and know how to respect and support them. That is what all women want; respect and support. If he cannot support women, we advise he shuts up.
- Lastly, it will be important to point out that women in Ghana from different ethnic groups, and specifically from the ethnic groups he selected for his onslaught, have over the years contributed immensely to our development.
For example, the story of the Fourth Republic of Ghana will be incomplete without names like Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, Georgina Wood, Bamford Addo, Frema Opare, etc. These women proved not only to be smart; they also showed substance and excellence.
The highly agitated women wished to encourage Prophet Badu Kobi to meditate on Proverbs 4:7 (KJV) which enjoins that “Wisdom is a principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting, get understanding.” They made it clear that his comments clearly did not show an appreciation of this very dictate in the Bible.
The women finally “encourage him to do the needful by rendering an unqualified apology to Ghanaians women, and especially those affected by his unguided statement.
We will also use this opportunity to admonish the gentlemen in Ghana to keep supporting women in all positive ways they can. We are together in the development struggle and your success is intrinsically linked to ours”.
By Oppong Baah, African Eye Report
