The National Youth Wing of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has thrown its weight behind the party’s embattled Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South, Samuel Atta Akyea, over some derogatory references to former president John Dramani Mahama.
The former Works and Housing Minister has come under heavy criticism from the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and some members of the public for describing the former president, who is also the NDC’s 2024 Presidential candidate, as a “drunkard.”
Addressing a crowd in the Eastern Region, Atta Akyea urged Ghanaians not to make the mistake of handing power to the former president, claiming he was unfit to govern the country.
“Ghana is fortunate to have an economist who is composed, knowledgeable, and abstains from alcohol. We are truly blessed. Ghana is on the verge of having a president with wisdom, a leader who is astute and refrains from drinking alcohol,” he said.
The NDC, in a statement issued on Thursday, August 29, by the party’s General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, described Atta Akyea’s remarks as “reckless and unfounded.”
The party praised Mahama’s qualities, describing him as a “distinguished statesman with a sterling track record.” The NDC has demanded an immediate retraction and apology from Atta Akyea, warning that failure to do so would compel the party to explore all available avenues to defend the integrity and reputation of its flagbearer.
However, the National Youth Wing of the NPP, in a statement issued on Friday, August 30, 2024, and signed by the party’s National Youth Organizer, Salam Mustapha, urged the Abuakwa South MP not to apologize for his comments. Declaring their support for their MP, the NPP Youth Wing said the NDC must come with clean hands in demanding equity since they are the originators of these vile campaign tactics.
They cited a recent interview where the National Chairman of the NDC, on national TV, described the NPP’s Flagbearer Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as a liar and an idiot. They also alleged that the NDC’s General Secretary, Fiifi Kwetey, has been captured on tape making disparaging comments about Dr. Bawumia and his wife on several occasions.
The NPP Youth Wing concluded by saying the “drunkard” tag on former president John Dramani Mahama did not come from the NPP but from the NDC’s own Dr. Kwabena Dufuor, who, in the run-up to the party’s internal presidential primaries, told delegates not to vote for the former president since he had a serious and chronic alcohol addiction problem. They believe Atta Akyea was merely re-echoing what Dr. Dufuor had said some time ago, hence he did no wrong and must not apologize.
Below is the Party’s Statement,
