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 Edem’s remarks suggested that the former President’s confinement to a wheelchair was a result of “evil deeds” he committed during his tenure—a 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 group’s 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.
“This is an attack on the dignity of one of Ghana’s revered statesmen. We will not sit idly by while such baseless and offensive comments are made against former President Kufuor,” Gyataba stated.
He also criticized the NDC leadership, including former President John Mahama, for their silence on the matter. “Since 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,” 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:
𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐄𝐃 𝐀𝐒𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐇 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐌𝐍 𝐍𝐃𝐂’𝐒 𝐃𝐄𝐋𝐀 𝐄𝐃𝐄𝐌 𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐀𝐂𝐊𝐒 𝐎𝐍 𝐊𝐔𝐅𝐔𝐎𝐑 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐀𝐒𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐄 𝐀𝐆𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐓 𝐍𝐃𝐂❜𝐒 𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐋 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐒
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 president’s confinement to a wheelchair was due to his “evil deeds” 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.
𝐌𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐃𝐂’𝐬 𝐀𝐧𝐭𝐢-𝐀𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞
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 NDC’s 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.
𝗞𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗮𝘆𝗹𝗼𝗿’𝘀 𝗥𝗼𝗹𝗲
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