A political science lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has stated that Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s “all die be die” remarks are a blot on the opposition leader’s record.

Mr Mohammed Abass said given that the comments have earned the opposition leader a tag as a violent character, he would need to take advantage of any occasion that presents itself to clear his good name.

Mr Akufo-Addo, during the Easter festivities at Kwahu, addressed chiefs and people of the Kwahu Traditional Area where he asked them to disregard assertions that he was a violent character.

Mr Abass, speaking on Accra midday news Tuesday March 29, 2016, commented that the NPP flagbearer’s move was a necessary step towards shedding the violence tag.

“It is good [for Akufo-Addo to have reacted to the tag on him] because this is politics. And we know what goes on in politics – that you are competing with others. In this particular case, everyone knows Nana has ambitions of becoming president, so, he has competitors like the sitting president, [John] Mahama. In politics, one’s competitors will exploit his slips to their advantage, especially in Ghana and Africa where the illiteracy rate is high.”

He said many people in the upper classes of society may hear and laugh off some comments by some politicians, but those in the lower classes may take those differently. He said the numbers of the lower class electorate should not be taken for granted given they form a significant proportion of the population that could determine who becomes president of the country.

Mr Abass said Nana Akufo-Addo may not need to respond to every charge against him by his political opponents. “But there are one or two issues that if he doesn’t respond to, the effect becomes great,” the lecturer advised.

“Nana has said a number of things in the past, particularly his all-die-be-die comment. People may misinterpret the facts to suit what they think about him.

“I have spoken with people at different levels, and mostly people at the lower levels ask, ‘Was it not Akufo-Addo who said all die be die? So, what is the meaning of that? So, it means he is violent.’ You will be surprised that in the mind of that person, he has assumed that.

So, this is a major thing against him. So, left to me, I would say whatever opportunity he gets, he should address that. And beyond that he should let his life reflect it – exhibiting patience in confronting the challenges such as the insults hurled at him. He should use the opportunity to demonstrate he stands for peace.”