An exchange erupted between Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, a leading figure in the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), and Malik Basintale, the Deputy Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), over the health of Nana Bediatuo Asante, the Executive Secretary to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko took to social media early on October 2, 2024, criticising the tone of discussions surrounding Nana Bediatuo’s recent hospitalisation.
Responding to narratives circulating on social media, Otchere-Darko accused some individuals of harbouring hatred and even wishing ill on the president’s executive secretary.
“The hatred is deep and scary. To wish a fellow human being dead and be disappointed he is still alive is devilishly debased,” Otchere-Darko wrote in his post.
He further invoked Aristotle’s wisdom, stating, “Anger can be cured by time, but hatred cannot.”
His comments came after reports surfaced that Nana Bediatuo Asante, who had recently participated in the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York, had fallen ill and had been hospitalised in the United States.
While rumors about his condition spread, Otchere-Darko’s post condemned the negative sentiments expressed in some quarters.
In a sharp response, Malik Basintale took to social media to counter Otchere-Darko’s accusations, directing his frustrations towards what he described as the “Mafia” family of President Nana Akufo-Addo.
He asserted that the opposition did not wish death upon the president’s allies, but instead called for justice and accountability.
“Sir, I hope you now get a sense of how Ghanaians feel about your ‘Mafia’ Family. I mean the Dankwa, Kuntunkununkun, and Ofori Panyin Family. Well, we don’t wish you all dead. We wish you all jailed and the stolen monies returned!” Basintale wrote in a post.
Meanwhile, amid the online clash, the Office of the President has issued an official statement addressing Nana Bediatuo Asante’s health status.
Signed by Eugene Arhin, Director of Communications at the Presidency, the statement confirmed that Nana Bediatuo had been hospitalised after feeling unwell following the UN General Assembly.
However, he reassured the public that Bediatuo was in stable condition and responding positively to treatments.
