In as much as we are all for policies or measures that advance the course of women, and for that matter, it doesn’t mean that if a political party throws in an idea that is vague, and does not in any way support women, it has to be pointed out.
More importantly, if such a policy proposal ends up demeaning women, proponents must welcome the constructive criticisms that visit them.
The NDC has proposed to set up a women’s bank and grandma Naana Jane is the one trumpeting it. I am struggling to figure out the relevance of such a bank.
I find it counterproductive in a lot of ways. Why the need for a women’s bank? Is that to suggest that the financial institutions we have in Ghana are male-oriented and do not accommodate women?
Has any bank turned away a female customer who walks to them for a financial support for her business to warrant the creation of a women’s only bank?
Nothing like that has happened, so why consider setting up a bank purposely for women when existing financial institutions give equal opportunities and access to all persons irrespective of gender, race or ethnicity?
This idea is populist at best and ought not to be given any meaty substance because it makes very little sense to set up such a bank.
It is worth reiterating, no bank in Ghana has been set up for men. All the banks do business with all persons, whether male or female.
Let us not be deceived that a women’s bank will operate differently from the existing banks in the country. If anyone thinks a women’s bank will not ask for a collateral in granting a loan or may not look at the ability of the person to repay the loan, then that person is being misled.
Whether a women’s bank or children’s bank, one must satisfy certain criteria or conditions before the loan can be granted. It is just like going to any bank for a financial support to inject into one’s business.
I find this whole idea as an affront to women. It is seeking to belittle them in the eyes of the society. It is giving room for people to believe that women are less important and for that matter, they must be given a separate bank, a financial institution that is of less importance or value than the existing banks.
It is not as though the setting up of a women’s bank would mean much in the scheme of things. Some market women had their wares burnt to ashes and were supposed to be assisted by MASLOC. At the end of the day, these women never received a dime from an outfit a woman was supervising.
If you ask for my opinion on this idea, I would say it is bogus, will serve no useful purpose and very demeaning to women’s empowerment.
The writer is P.K. Sarpong, Whispers from the Corridors of the Thinking Place
