BY GRACE ZIGAH
Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts Minister Abla Dzifa Gomashie has come under fierce criticism following her defence of Senior Presidential Advisor Joyce Bawah Mogtari over public scrutiny of the handbag she carries, with critics accusing sections of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) of applying different standards to women depending on their political affiliations.
The controversy emerged after Gomashie criticised men who had questioned the type of handbag carried by Mogtari, describing their conduct as disrespectful and an example of the unfair scrutiny women endure in public life.
Speaking at the 2026 Obaasima Summit, the minister expressed disapproval of the comments directed at the senior presidential aide, questioning why some men considered it appropriate to scrutinise a woman’s personal belongings.
“I’ve seen some messages by some men who should know better questioning the kind of bag Joyce Bawah Mogtari carries. The effrontery, the audacity to question a woman like this,” Gomashie said.
Her remarks were intended to draw attention to the gendered scrutiny women face, particularly those who occupy prominent positions in politics and public administration.
However, the comments have triggered a wider political debate, with critics bringing up the treatment of former Second Lady Samira Bawumia during the previous administration.
Some critics have challenged Gomashie’s intervention, arguing that similar concerns about the dignity of women were not always expressed when Samira Bawumia became the subject of public commentary over her fashion choices and handbags.In strongly worded reactions circulating online, critics accused NDC supporters and sympathisers of participating in the ridicule of the former Second Lady while now demanding respect for Mogtari.
One critic questioned why Gomashie had spoken out against the scrutiny of Mogtari’s handbag but, in their view, had not shown comparable concern when Samira Bawumia faced similar public commentary.
The critic argued that the controversy exposed what they considered a political double standard, insisting that respect for women should not depend on party affiliation or whether the woman concerned belongs to the governing party or the opposition.
The criticism also extended to party foot soldiers and individuals who have since assumed public appointments.
Critics challenged them to reflect on their previous comments about Samira Bawumia and consider whether the same standards of dignity and restraint were being applied to Mogtari.
They maintained that if questioning a woman’s handbag is inappropriate, the principle should apply consistently to all women, regardless of their political connections.
In one of the sharpest reactions, a critic accused Gomashie and sections of the NDC of displaying what they described as selective outrage over public criticism of women.
The critic argued that political actors should not defend a member of their own political establishment against personal attacks while remaining silent when opponents face similar treatment.
“You cannot encourage the fire when it burns your opponent and cry foul when the flames reach your side,” the critic wrote.
The reaction further questioned whether the criticism of Mogtari’s handbag would prompt a broader reflection within the NDC on the language used by some party supporters against women associated with the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The critic also warned that public figures should expect their past conduct and statements to be scrutinised when they speak out against practices they may previously have tolerated or failed to condemn.
The controversy has brought renewed attention to Samira Bawumia, wife of former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, who was frequently discussed in political and social commentary during her time as Second Lady.
Her appearance, fashion choices and handbags became subjects of public conversation, with some commentary crossing into mockery and partisan exchanges.
Critics of Gomashie’s remarks argue that the handbag controversy involving Mogtari should be considered alongside the treatment Samira Bawumia received during the previous administration.
They contend that public figures who condemn personal attacks against women should also be willing to challenge similar conduct when it targets political opponents.
When public figures defend colleagues or political allies, their interventions can be interpreted either as principled stands or as attempts to protect their own political camp.
In this case, critics have used Gomashie’s remarks to demand consistency from the NDC, while the minister’s reported comments focus on what she considers inappropriate scrutiny of Mogtari.
