The New Patriotic Party has strongly condemned what it describes as sustained attacks by social commentator Kevin Ekow Taylor against former President John Agyekum Kufuor, demanding an immediate public apology and calling on the governing National Democratic Congress to dissociate itself from the remarks.
In a statement issued and signed by the party’s Director of Communications, Richard Ahiagbah, the NPP described the alleged comments against former President Kufuor as unacceptable and inconsistent with Ghana’s democratic and cultural values.
“The New Patriotic Party condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the sustained and vicious attacks by Kevin Ekow Taylor against His Excellency John Agyekum Kufuor”.
Director of Communications, Richard Ahiagbah
According to the NPP, the issue goes beyond partisan political disagreements and concerns the protection of the dignity and legacy of a former Head of State. “This is not politics. This is desecration,” the statement added.
Kufuor Described as National Figure
The opposition party praised former President Kufuor for what it described as his contribution to Ghana’s democratic development and economic stability during his tenure in office.
According to the statement, President Kufuor played a major role in rescuing the country from economic difficulties while strengthening democratic governance and improving Ghana’s international reputation.
The NPP further argued that former President Kufuor should be regarded as a national figure whose legacy deserves respect across political divides. “He is not a partisan target. He is the father of this nation,” the party stated.
According to the NPP, societies that tolerate insults and attacks against respected national figures risk undermining their moral and democratic foundations. “Any society that permits the vilification of such a man without consequence has lost its moral footing,” the statement added.
NPP Criticizes NDC Silence
The NPP also criticized the governing NDC over what it described as silence regarding the alleged attacks against former President Kufuor. According to the opposition party, the NDC’s failure to publicly condemn the comments amounts to tacit endorsement.
“The NDC’s silence is not neutrality. It is complicity. Kevin Taylor’s deep and well-documented ties to the NDC machinery make it impossible for the NDC to feign innocence”.
NPP Director of Communications, Richard Ahiagbah
The NPP argued that political leaders have a responsibility to publicly reject offensive conduct directed at former national leaders regardless of political affiliation.
“When a known operative verbally assaults a former President and the leadership of the NDC watches in silence, their silence becomes an endorsement”.
NPP Director of Communications, Richard Ahiagbah
Demands Directed at Mahama and NDC Leadership
As part of its response, the NPP called directly on President John Dramani Mahama and the leadership of the NDC to publicly dissociate themselves from the alleged remarks against former President Kufuor.
According to the party, President Mahama and the NDC must “immediately dissociate themselves from the attacks on the person and legacy of President Kufuor.”
The NPP also demanded that Kevin Taylor issue what it described as a “full, unqualified, and public apology” to the former President. The party argued that public discourse in Ghana must remain guided by respect, decency, and cultural values even amid political disagreements.
“There are lines that decency, culture, and conscience forbid us from crossing,” the statement noted. The controversy has renewed discussions within political circles about the growing intensity of political commentary and partisan communication in Ghana, particularly across social media platforms and online programmes.
Public discourse in Ghana has become increasingly polarized in recent years, with both major political parties often accusing supporters and commentators linked to rival groups of inflammatory rhetoric.
The latest statement by the New Patriotic Party is expected to increase pressure on the NDC and its communicators to respond publicly to the allegations raised by the opposition party.
NPP Calls for Respectful Political Engagement
The NPP concluded its statement by urging political actors to uphold civility and national values in political engagement. “The NDC must decide whether it will stand with our shared cultural values or with the savagery of Kevin Taylor,” the statement declared.
The party further warned that Ghanaians are closely observing the conduct of political actors and their responses to public controversies. “Ghana is watching and taking note of the indifference of the NDC and the Mahama administration,” the statement added.
The development is likely to intensify political debate in the coming days as both parties continue positioning themselves ahead of future political contests.
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