A leading member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) communications team, Dela Edem, has ignited a political firestorm with a controversial remark about former President John Agyekum Kufuor. Edem claimed that Kufuor’s current confinement to a wheelchair is a result of his alleged “evil deeds” during his presidency.
Speaking during an interview on TV ZXY, an NDC-aligned platform, Edem stated:
“We all saw your bad governance, so don’t think we have forgotten. Your evil deeds have now kept you in the wheelchair.”
Edem’s outburst followed former President Kufuor’s endorsement of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) presidential candidate, as the most qualified to lead Ghana, dismissing NDC flagbearer John Dramani Mahama.
The comments sparked criticism from the public and the NPP, who condemned the attack as disrespectful to an elder statesman.
During the interview, Edem accused Kufuor of presiding over “bad governance” and amassing wealth unfairly during Ghana’s currency redenomination exercise under his administration. The host, Mugabe Maase, made an attempt to tone down Edem’s comments but later joined in ridiculing the former president, exacerbating the controversy.
Former President Kufuor, affectionately known as the “Gentle Giant,” is celebrated for his achievements during his tenure from 2001 to 2009, including stabilizing Ghana’s economy and serving as Chairperson of the African Union. However, his legacy has often been a point of attack from the NDC.
This latest insult has further deepened the political divide, with critics urging members of the NDC to show decorum, especially given the recent passing of Kufuor’s wife, Theresa Kufuor. Notably, NDC’s flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, had previously led a delegation to console the Kufuor family in their time of grief.
Calls for an apology from Dela Edem and the NDC have intensified, with many questioning the political tone and culture of respect within the country’s political discourse.