A group representing the interests of young Asante citizens, the Concerned Asante Youth, has condemned recent remarks made by Dela Edem, a member of the opposition National Democratic Congress communications team.

Addressing a press conference yesterday, Nana Agyenim Boateng, alias GYATABA, president of the group, demanded that Edem immediately retract the offensive statements made against former President John Agyekum Kufuor and issue a public apology within 24 hours.

Edem last week subjected former President Kufuor to verbal attacks for publicly endorsing Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) presidential candidate. In a tirade widely condemned as disrespectful, Edem implied that the former President’s current health challenges, including his use of a wheelchair, were a result of “evil deeds” he had allegedly committed during his tenure in office.

The group deemed these remarks as a malicious attack on Mr Kufuor’s character, and called them not only unfounded but deeply hurtful.

They  emphasised the seriousness with which they viewed the attacks. “John Agyekum Kufuor is an extraordinary statesman who has served this country with distinction,” the group declared, pointing to the former President’s long history of public service and his international standing.

The youth group further stated that such unprovoked attacks on a revered leader were unacceptable, and that Edem’s comments were a clear sign of disrespect.

The statement also raised concerns over the broader lack of response from key figures within the NDC, particularly former President John Dramani Mahama.

The youth group said, despite the public outcry, Mr Mahama and other NDC leaders had  not distanced themselves from Edem’s statements. This silence, the group argued, suggested tacit support for the attacks.

They also touched on what they described as a “longstanding tradition” of the NDC undermining the Asante people. They recalled the 2009 incident when former President Kufuor, after completing two terms as President, was unceremoniously evicted from the government-provided accommodation he intended to use for his post-presidential office.

The group believed that such actions were part of a wider strategy by the NDC to weaken Asante influence, and diminish the region’s political power for its own gain.

According to the group, their  concerns were further fueled by recent developments involving Kevin Taylor, a known NDC loyalist and media personality. Taylor has frequently targeted high-ranking Asante leaders, including the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. They accused Taylor of receiving support and encouragement from the NDC leadership, specifically from Mr Mahama, to launch further attacks against the Asante people.

The Concerned Asante Youth called on all well-meaning Asantes to “rise against the malicious plans of the NDC”, and to unite in defence of their heritage. The group, therefore, appealed to Asante citizens to vote for the NPP in the upcoming elections as a means of safeguarding their interests, and ensuring that the Asante people were not subjected to further marginalization by the NDC.

“Supporting the NPP is the surest way to protect our heritage,” the group stressed, warning that a return to power by the NDC could lead to even worse treatment for the Asante people.

In a related developmen, Rights of Youth and Disability (RYD) International has described Edem’s attack as part of the  NDC’s “contempt, disregard, insensitivity and disrespect” towards Persons with Disability (PWDs) and former President Kufuor.

A statement released by Yazid Adam, PWD Activist, for the group catalogued a series of troubling incidents that highlighted the NDC’s alleged disregard for the rights and dignity of PWDs.

Additionally, RYD pointed to former President John Mahama’s claim in 2017 that the allocation for PWDs from the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) had increased under his administration, despite evidence that the allocation remained significantly below the level established under Kufuor’s presidency.

RYD also noted that a subsequent attack on Mr Kufuor by NDC member Samuel Huntor—coupled with the NDC’s tepid response to both incidents—indicated a deeper problem within the party.

“While we acknowledge that Dela Edem has rendered an unqualified apology, it lacked the remorse and seriousness needed. Moreover, the lack of firm condemnation from the NDC leadership reflects the party’s broader failure to respect persons with disabilities. These continuous displays of insensitivity toward disability are not just offensive, but they further entrench prejudice in our society,” RYD International said.

It also criticized the NDC for its treatment of the Disability Act, 2006 (Act 715), calling out the party’s apparent misrepresentation of the landmark law in its 2020 manifesto. The NDC referred to the Act as the “Disability Act, 2007,” despite it having been enacted under the leadership of former President Kufuor. This, the group argued, was part of a broader effort to downplay former  Kufuor’s legacy, and undermine the progress made for PWDs during his time in office.

The group called on the NDC and the wider Ghanaian society to acknowledge that disability was a human condition and not a taboo or a curse, as some continued to believe. It further reminded the public that Ghana’s disability population, according to the 2021 Population and Housing Census, represented 8% of the population, or approximately 2.1 million people. It was therefore imperative, they argued, that society treated individuals with disabilities with dignity and respect.

The group praised former President Kufuor, who recently turned 86, for his continued contributions to Ghana and his dignified acceptance of his disability. “In his wheelchair, he is living the dignified life of a true statesman. We are proud to be associated with him and grateful for his ongoing contributions, including his role as the Special Guest of Honour at the maiden edition of Disability Conversations on October 17, 2024,” the statement added.