The Concerned Asante Youth have expressed outrage over comments made by NDC communication team member Dela Edem, accusing him of showing gross disrespect toward former President John Agyekum Kufuor.
According to the group, Dela Edemโs remarks suggested that the former Presidentโs confinement to a wheelchair was a result of “evil deeds” he committed during his tenureโa statement the group described as “deeply hurtful, malicious, and devoid of basic human decency.”
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, November 18, 2024, the groupโs spokesperson, Nana Agyenim Boateng, popularly known as “Gyataba,” demanded an immediate retraction and an unqualified apology from Dela Edem.
He warned that the group would take further action if the apology was not rendered within 24 hours.
โThis is an attack on the dignity of one of Ghanaโs revered statesmen. We will not sit idly by while such baseless and offensive comments are made against former President Kufuor,โ Gyataba stated.
He also criticized the NDC leadership, including former President John Mahama, for their silence on the matter. โSince these abusive words were uttered, neither John Mahama nor any other party official has publicly condemned or disassociated themselves from the attack.
This silence suggests tacit approval,โ he added.
The group called on the NDC to demonstrate leadership by addressing the issue and ensuring that its members refrain from making such inflammatory statements in the future.
Below is a copy of the press statement:
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐โ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐โ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐
The Concerned Asante Youth strongly condemn the unwarranted attacks on former President John Agyekum Kufuor by Dela Edem, a prominent member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) communications team. Dela Edem launched an unfounded tirade against Mr. Kufuor simply because the former President expressed support for the NPP presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. In a display of utter disrespect, the NDC man implied that the former presidentโs confinement to a wheelchair was due to his โevil deedsโ when he was President, a deeply hurtful and malicious accusation that disregards basic human decency.
As responsible young Asantes, we view these derogatory remarks with the utmost seriousness. John Agyekum Kufuor is an extraordinary statesman who has served this country with distinction and commands colossal respect internationally. Consequently, the Concerned Asante Youth demands that Dela Edem immediately retract the offensive statements and render an unqualified apology to Mr. Kufuor within 24 hours. Should he fail to do so, we will take appropriate action.
๐๐๐ก๐๐ฆ๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐’๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ข-๐๐ฌ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ ๐๐ญ๐๐ง๐๐
We are equally concerned that since the NDC communications team member poured out the abusive words at former President Kufuor, neither former President John Mahama nor any other party official has publicly dissociated themselves from the attacks. This lack of response provides ample evidence that Mr. Mahama and his party are in tacit support of the attacks.
The Concerned Asante Youth are not oblivious to the NDCโs longstanding tradition of undermining the Asante people. The current development is part of the grand agenda by the NDC to keep to its tradition of denigrating Asantes for political gain.
We recall the pain and humiliation the NDC subjected former President Kufuor to in 2009 when he was booted out of the government-provided accommodation, which he intended to use for his office after serving two terms as President.
๐๐ฒ๐๐ถ๐ป ๐ง๐ฎ๐๐น๐ผ๐ฟโ๐ ๐ฅ๐ผ๐น๐ฒ
Following the unprovoked Dela Edem attacks on the distinguished former President, we will not be surprised if the next target could be the Asantehene. Kevin Taylor, a notorious “Mahama boy” and NDC loyalist, has already launched a series of attacks on Asantes, mainly focusing on high-ranking Asante leaders, including His Majesty the Asantehene.
The Concerned Asante Youth are aware that Kevin Taylor has the full backing of John Mahama, who has reportedly been organizing NDC communicators to coach Kevin Taylor on further insulting and discrediting Asantes, particularly the Otumfuo.
This is a wake-up call for all well-meaning Asantes to rise against the malicious plans of the NDC. We urge all Asantes to reflect deeply on this issue and come out in our numbers to vote massively for the NPP in the upcoming elections. Supporting the NPP is the surest way to protect our heritage, as a return to power by the NDC will spell an even worse fate for the Asante people.
Nana Agyenim Boateng
Alias: GYATABA
President