Mae Azango [email protected]
Monrovia – Information Ministry’s Deputy Minister for Press and Public Affairs, Mr. Eugene L. Fahngon, has condemned the recent actions of SAJJ House against few black single ladies.
Report by Mae Azango, [email protected]
SAJJ, a local Lebanese-own bar and restaurant on 18th Street in Sinkor, came under the spotlight on social media, for allegedly denying entry to three black single Liberian ladies on ground that they were not accompanied by male counterparts.
Speaking at the regular Ministry of Information weekly press briefings on Thursday, May 10, Fahngon said he had read on social media about women, without male escorts, being prevented from entering a bar, for which he finds “unacceptable.”
“It is unacceptable and will be condemned in the strongest possible term. We will protect our citizens regardless of gender,” he said.
SAJJ, in an official statement also placed on social media, apologized to the women and other customers who had faced similar embarrassment.
“To Satta Wahab, Letitia Gibson, Shari L.O. Raji and all other female customers that have experienced this in the past; we sincerely apologize for the embarrassment that you had to endure at our entrance. Management will do everything within its powers to avoid this incident from happening henceforth to other customers,” an excerpt from SAJJ’s statement.
However, Min. Fahngon said though SAJJ House posted an apology, it does not repudiate it of its ugly behavior.
Fahngon insisted that no one will ever insult any woman under the regime of President George Manneh Weah; adding, “I do not care how much money you own or how many restaurants you build around this country, we will not allow discrimination anywhere we find it.”
He disclosed that the agency responsible for businesses will look into the matter and get back to the public with their findings. He asked the three women involved to go and give their sides of the story in order for the Ministry to properly investigate.
“Let me be clear on this, the fact that they have apologized, does not excuse them from the law. Yes, you are apologizing for something you did; but if it violates our constitution, then we are under obligation to ensure that justice takes its course. If the ladies can come forward and take up their case, this government will not have any problem in pursuing the case in the interest of our citizens according to Article 11 of our Constitution,” Fahngon stated.
Ms. Satta Wahab, one of the three females who were denied, said she and her two friends, who are owners of businesses, went out on Friday night for a drink and decided to start with SAJJ but were denied entry. She also accused SAJJ management of being racists, because when they were prevented from entering, they saw a single white lady entering without being stopped by the same security, who had denied them earlier.
Meanwhile, Ms. Wahab and other women have come up with a position statement to boycott SAJJ House.
Ms. Elizabeth Horton, another victim of Monrovia, said she was humiliated by securities at SAJJ, when she was stopped from entering because she was alone, some 15 months ago. Others have also come forward to disclose how SAJJ has discriminated against them, too.