The Concerned Youth of Asanteman has reprimanded Mr Dela Edem, a member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) communication team for unwarranted attacks on former President John Agyekum Kufuor.
Mr Edem has inferred that the former president’s confinement to a wheelchair is due to his “evil deeds” when he was the President of Ghana.
Speaking on behalf of the group at a press conference in Kumasi yesterday, Nana Agyenim Boateng, popularly known as Gyataba, noted that the Asante Youth view these derogatory remarks as malicious accusations that disregard basic human decency.
He noted that John Agyekum Kufuor is an extraordinary Statesman who has served this nation with distinction and commands colossal respect internationally.
According to Gyataba, ever since the derogative remarks were made by Mr. Edem, neither former President John Mahama nor any other party official have publicly dissociated themselves from it – an indication that Mr. Mahama and his party are in tacit support of the attack.
Gyataba further noted that the Concerned Asante Youth are not oblivious to the NDC’s longstanding tradition of undermining the “Asante People” and emphasised that the current development is part of the “grand agenda” by the NDC to keep to its tradition of “denigrating” Asantes for political gains.
The spokesman further issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the National Democratic Congress communication team member to immediately retract the offensive statements and render an unqualified apology to Mr. Kufuor, failure of which the youth group will take an appropriate action.
Nana Boateng added that it will not be surprising that the next target could be the Asantehene, as broadcaster Kevin Taylor, a known NDC loyalist, has already launched series of attacks on Asantes, mainly focusing on high-ranking Asante leaders, including His Majesty the Asantehene.
As a result of these developments, Gyataba has urged all well-meaning Asantes to rise against the malicious plans of the NDC and reflect deeply on the issue and come out in numbers to vote massively for the NPP in the December 7 elections, noting that supporting the NPP is the surest way to protect our heritage because a return of the NDC will spell doom for Asantes.
From Oswald Pius Freiku, Kumasi
