Ursula Owusu “Shames” Hannah Bissiw

What was expected to be a real verbal showdown between two outspoken female politicians failed to live up to its billing when staunch member of the opposition New Patriotic Party and Parliamentary aspirant for Ablekuma South Constituency, Ursula Owusu chose not to reply in equal measure to the verbal abuse rained on her by the Deputy Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing, Dr. Louisa Hanna Bissiw.

Dr. Bissiw, at a recent meeting with members of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) branch of the Tertiary Education Institute Network (TEIN) of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Kumasi last Tuesday, described Ursula Owusu as a “sorrowful soul” and a “disgrace to womanhood”. According to her, Ursula has refused to heed to her repetitive “advice” to “stay indoors” because anytime her name is mentioned, womanhood is insulted.

“I do not know why Ursula did not heed to my advice (sic) that she should stay indoors. My worry is that anytime she comes out and her name is mentioned, womanhood is insulted…if she refuses to shut up and continues with her usual behaviour, we will deal with her for her to know that we are in power,” the veterinary doctor stated.

It is an open secret that the two do not see eye to eye but there seems to be some sort of a gentleman’s agreement between them on the need to pipe down and shelve their differences. However, some believed the sparks could fly at any moment so perhaps; it was taken for granted that come hell or high water, Ursula Owusu will hit back at the Deputy Minister this time.

But speaking in an interview on PeaceFm’s flagship programme “Kokrokoo” with Tweneboa Kodua (TK) sitting in for regular host Kwami Sefa Kayi, the Vice-President of FIDA Int, somewhat disappointed those expecting a verbal spat when she said, it is unfortunate that the deputy minister missed out on a fine opportunity to impact knowledge to NDC youth activists, and rather resorted to the use of verbal invectives against her.

She said it is surprising that the NDC instead of advising and urging their youth activists on the need to work hard, rather chose to school them on insults, adding that if her (Ursula’s) efforts in helping Ghanaian women and being the voice of the voiceless is a disgrace to womanhood then she is not bothered by persons of Hanna Bissiw’s ilk.

“If Hanna Bissiw thinks my effort to help Ghanaian women makes me a disgrace to womanhood it is okay. Besides, I don’t know when and where she sat me down to counsel me. She said the same thing at Radio Gold that she will strip me naked and descend with me into the gutter; but suffice it to be said that I don’t play in the gutters so if she does go there, she will meet her kind, but certainly not me. If she thinks I will take advice from her insulting behaviour then I’m sorry…, she is not my advisor so she should give it to those who listen to her. I only listen to good and productive counsel that will help me improve my work and benefit Ghanaians and women as a whole…,” she noted.