Majority Chief Whip and South Dayi MP Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor has explained why he has deliberately kept his marriage and family life away from public attention despite his wife’s active involvement in politics.
Speaking on PM Express on JoyNews, the outspoken National Democratic Congress (NDC) legislator said the decision was intended to shield his family from the intense scrutiny and attacks often associated with Ghanaian politics.
His comments come after social media reactions to a birthday message he shared for his wife, which unexpectedly gained widespread attention online.
“I just wished my wife a simple birthday, and somehow this spiralled out of control,” he said during the interview.
Many social media users were surprised to discover that the MP was married to a fellow politician and former parliamentary candidate, a relationship he had largely kept private over the years.
According to Mr Dafeamekpor, the decision to protect his family from public exposure was influenced by advice he received early in his political career.
“In public service, part of your public life is ensuring that you insulate your family, your children and loved ones from the turbulence of national politics,” he explained.
“You know, your children can get hurt, your family members can get hurt.”
The South Dayi MP disclosed that senior political figures, including former President Jerry John Rawlings, advised him to keep his family life away from unnecessary public attention.
He revealed that he had previously removed photos of his children from social media after friends and associates cautioned him about exposing them online.
“One of my adult sons today is 21 years old and a third-year Computer Engineering student at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology,” he said while also wishing him a happy birthday during the interview.
Mr Dafeamekpor noted that although he occasionally posts birthday tributes to his wife, this year’s message attracted unusual attention because some social media users linked it to an earlier birthday message she had shared for him.
“So somebody went back to connect the link,” he said.
The Majority Chief Whip described his wife as “hardworking”, “articulate”, “brilliant” and “smart”, adding that despite their political involvement, they prefer to maintain what he called “an undisturbed domestic life.”
He stressed that public office holders are not obligated to make every aspect of their private lives public.
“These are not things you deposit on billboards or run around with,” he stated.
