The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has apologised to former President John Agyekum Kufuor for comments it deems disrespectful towards the elderly statesman, by one of its communicators, Dela Edem.
In a statement issued by its National Communications Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, on Sunday, November 17, 2024, the party slammed Dela Edem, describing his comments as “unsavoury and distasteful”.
The party welcomed the communicator’s apology to the former president and added its voice to his apology.
“The attention of the National Communications Bureau of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has been drawn to some unfortunate comments attributed to one of its members, Comrade Dela Edem, and directed at the person of former President and elderly statesman, H.E. John Agyekum Kufuor.
“The said comments are unsavoury and distasteful. It is therefore refreshing to note that our comrade in question has duly retracted his statements and rendered an unqualified apology to the elderly statesman,” parts of the statement shared on social media read.
It added, “The NDC adds its voice to the apology that has been rendered and hopes that this retraction and apology bring closure to the matter.”
The party also assured the public of its regard for the elderly in society.
It urged its communicators to campaign based on issues in communicating the vision of their party to Ghanaians.
“The NDC as a party accords utmost respect to the elderly in our society and honour to our statesmen.
“The party strongly advises all communicators to remain focused on propagating the transformational policies of the visionary nation-builder, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, and the NDC for a resounding victory on December 7, 2024,” it added.
What Dela Edem said:
Dela Edem, while speaking on Accra-based TV XYZ, used some unsavoury words on former President John Agyekum Kufuor following an interview in which the statesman urged Ghanaians to vote for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
“Let me say something to President Kufuor. He should be careful; I expect him to stay in his lane. He should enjoy his retirement with the riches he had from being president. He is in a wheelchair as payment for his sins as president,” he said.
Even though the host, Mugabe Maase, asked that he retract his words, Dela Edem insisted that he had no regrets and believed in all he had espoused.
His comments did not sit well with the general public, who condemned him for raining insults on a man who had not provoked him in any way.
His apology:
In a post shared via social media, Dela Edem apologised for the unsavoury and derogatory words used against the former President.
Dela Edem indicated that he has realised that his words, which he refused to retract on live television, were wrong and has therefore taken them back after several days of backlash.
“I sincerely render an unqualified apology to President Kufuor for the comments I made in reference to his ‘wheelchair’. Thank you!”
