Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya, Sarah Adwoa Safo, has advocated for the inclusion of mothers in the National Pledge, criticizing the current wording as gender-insensitive.
During a parliamentary session following the recitation of the National Pledge to commemorate the implementation of the new Standing Orders of Parliament, Adwoa Safo pointed out what she perceived as a glaring omission in the pledge. She highlighted the phrase “through the blood and toil of our fathers,” asserting that it overlooks the significant contributions of mothers to the nation’s progress, branding it a gender-insensitive oversight.
“Mr. Speaker, the National Pledge, it talks about ‘through the blood and toil of our fathers.’ Mr. Speaker, it omits mothers,” she expressed. “Mr. Speaker, the mothers also toiled for this country. I think that it is gender-insensitive.”
Adwoa Safo further stressed the importance of acknowledging the role of mothers in shaping the nation’s narrative, particularly in a country where the term “motherland” is commonly used to refer to Ghana. She urged for a more gender-sensitive approach to the National Pledge to reflect the diverse contributions of both genders to the country’s development.
This statement marks Adwoa Safo’s first public speech since her defeat in the recent NPP primaries. Adwoa Safo, a prominent lawyer and former Deputy Majority Leader in Parliament, was surpassed by Mike Oquaye Jnr, who secured 1,194 votes to become the NPP parliamentary candidate for Dome-Kwabenya. Adwoa Safo garnered 328 votes in the election.
Adwoa Safo’s advocacy for the inclusion of mothers in the National Pledge underscores ongoing discussions about gender representation and inclusivity in Ghanaian society. As the nation continues to progress, stakeholders advocate for measures promoting gender equality and recognizing the contributions of all individuals to national development.