Concerned Asante Youth, on Monday, November 18, staged a demonstration against the insulting comments made by NDC’s Dela Edem against former President John Agyekum Kufuor.
The protest received full support from the Manhyia South secretariat of the NPP. Some of the protesters carried placards with inscriptions like, “We will not allow NDC to denigrate President Kufuor”, “We demand apology to Mr Kufuor”, and “ Mahama is sponsoring NDC attacks on Asantes”.
Speakers condemn disrespect
Speakers including the President of the Concerned Asante Youth, Nana Agyenim Boateng a.k.a. Gyataba, and the Manhyia South Constituency chairman of the NPP, Richard Adjei Mensah Ofori Atta, alias Tom Tom expressed disgust about the disrespect shown Mr Kufuor by Dela Edem, who is a member of the NDC national communications team.
They also condemned the NDC flag bearer, John Mahama and his party for being behind the unprovoked attacks on Mr Kufuor, and urged Asantes to rise up against the NDC’s evil plans against Asanteman.
In addition, Dela Edem was given 24-hours to properly apologize to Mr Kufuor.
Nana Agyenim Boateng later read the press statement condemning the attack on Mr Kufuor.
Below is the full 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.
Serious view
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 the former President John Mahama nor any other party official have 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.
Kelvin Taylor’s Role
Following the unprovoked Dela Edem attacks on the distinguished former President, we will not be surprised that 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 organising NDC communicators to coach Kevin Taylor on further insulting and discrediting Asantes, particularly the Otumfuo.
Wake-up Call
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.
Signed
Nana Agyenim Boateng
Alias: GYATABA
President
