Question: What has happened to the policemen that caned and arrested the unarmed women traders in Bolgatanga?
This year's Mothers' Day was celebrated on Sunday 10th May, with countless messages appreciating women for their God-given role of bearing children and nurturing the next generation. There were expressions of respect for women, a lot of whom singlehandedly brought up the children that they procreated with their men. People attributed their achievements and successes to their mothers who worked diligently on different levels of society, including selling fried yams and roasted plantains and corn on the streets, and selling items such as tomatoes and cassava in the markets.
It was so very disappointing that within a day or two of Mothers' Day, a story broke about armed policemen firing warning shots and actually caning women, and then reporting on it boldly and shamelessly. On top of that, they arrested them and dumped them at the "Counterback". According to the report, unarmed women traders objecting to the change of their work location and marching to get someone in authority to address their concerns, were asked to disband, caned like children for trying to stand their ground, and arrested. They did have valid concerns and even if some of them agreed to move, the least that could have been done was to listen to their concerns and attempt to address them. It appears that there was no consideration that these hardworking women could be made worse off. And what was expected to happen to their families while they were away from home under arrest?
Another recent story was about women mourning that their markets were closed without notice with all their foodstuffs going bad as a result. If they borrowed money for their business, one can imagine what they are going through. Why does it seem that these women were not adequately engaged on these matters that affect them so critically?
I have been searching in vain for followup stories on this subject - has it died quietly, as stories have tended to do in the past? These strong armed men outnumbered the traders and could have arrested them quite easily and yet they happily caned women who could be their mothers, sisters, wives and daughters. Is this not assault of the people that they are supposed to protect? Is it lawful for Ghanaian citizens to be caned in this fashion? This is a dark blot on the image and reputation of the police and should not be countenanced. My question now is "what is being done to those who assaulted these women?" Will they get off with just "a slap on the wrist"? Is this considered to be acceptable behaviour?
So - what does this fuss made about Mothers' Day mean to the ordinary woman out there who is not consulted on matters affecting her life and livelihood, prevented from expressing her concerns, and gets treated like a criminal or second-rate citizen of her country? If we claim to appreciate our mothers and the women in our lives, let us all, (men in particular), show in our actions that we respect them, understand them, are interested in their welfare, and will support them fully in their endeavours. All women, and not just the usual token few. Otherwise, all those lovely messages sent to women on Mothers' Day are completely meaningless.
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