Dela Edem, a communicator of the National Democratic Congress, has faced strong criticisms for his insulting remarks about former President John Agyekum Kufuor, deemed unsavory and distasteful.

Several Ghanaian personalities have since condemned the remarks of Dela Edem and the National Democratic Congress.

Appearing as a guest panelist on Accra-based TV XYZ, Dela Edem used some unsavoury words on former President John Agyekum Kufuor, following an interview in which the elderly 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.

His comments have sparked massive backlash, with the NDC condemning and distancing itself from his remarks.

Although he has issued an apology, he continues to face condemnation.

GhanaWeb takes a look at some key personalities who have condemned the remarks of Dela Edem so far:

1. Henry Nana Boakye:

The NPP’s National Organiser, Henry Nana Boakye, condemned the statements, asserting that the comments were disrespectful not only to the statesman, but to Ghanaians as a whole.

Affectionately known as Nana B, he described the comments as despicable.

“The comments Dela made about Kufuor are despicable and hurtful. He has offended all Ghanaians,” he said.

Nana B expressed shock at John Mahama's silence regarding the behavior of his party member, urging him to distance himself from the communicator and his insults.

2. Koku Anyidoho:

The former Deputy general Secretary of the NDC also condemned the remarks of the party’s communicator, calling on John Mahama to disassociate himself from the insults.

According to him, the actions of some party members could damage John Mahama's goodwill among Ghanaians and negatively impact his political campaign.

Despite Dela Edem’s apology, Koku Anyidoho responded by saying he should use the same media platform to apologize to the statesman for his unprovoked insults, rather than issuing his apology through a Facebook post.

“This is NOT an apology; it’s a BIG insult that worsens the issue. He insulted with voice; why apologize with a voiceless questionable post? He apologizes for the “wheelchair”, & NOT all the other unprintable insults? Phew! Ghanaians are more discerning than this JM boy thinks,” he wrote on his X handle on Monday, November 18, 2024.

3. Prof. Smart Sarpong

The senior researcher at the Kumasi Technical University also condemned the insults directed at Kufuor by Dela Edem.

According to him, the insults could negatively impact the chances of the National Democratic Congress and John Mahama.

Prof. Sarpong described the statements as shameful, calling on Dela Edem to be remorseful for his utterances.

“John Mahama should talk to him and distance himself from his insults else it will be a negative campaign against the NDC. Everyone will become old just like Kufuor unless you die early. He should bow down his head in shame. No one should talk like that…,” he said.

. Charles Owusu

The former Head of the Monitoring Unit at the Forestry Commission, Rev Charles Owusu, scolded Dela Edem for making such statements on live TV.

According to him, Kufuor is a well-respected statesman who doesn’t deserve to be insulted in such a manner.

“Let us give respect to people. We can decide to disagree with people and not to attack their personality,” he said.

Meanwhile, 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 “unsavory and distasteful”.

MAG/AE