Stop the Hate Speech Against Otumfuo and Kufuor or Face Consequences – AHF Warns Kelvin Taylor, Dela Edem, and Others

The Ashanti Heritage Front (AHF), a pro-Ashanti development group, has cautioned Kelvin Taylor, Dela Edem, and Mustapha Gbande for raining insults on the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asanteman, and former President John Agyekum Kufour in relation to the 2024 election.

Speaking at a press conference in Kumasi, the convener of the group, Collins Owusu Amankwah, said that while it is the right of every political party to campaign, it is incumbent upon the agents of these parties to do so truthfully, civilly, and fairly.

He noted that they have observed elements within the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) who are using dirty tactics. “At this juncture, I would like to categorize the points of AHF,” he said.

Mr. Owusu Amankwah continued that the insults began with the NDC and former President John Dramani Mahama, who labeled Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as “stupid” for asking him 50 questions in response to Mahama’s five questions.

“It started with former President John Mahama, who called anyone discussing infrastructure and monumental projects of this government ‘stupid.’ This is a very unfortunate and bad attitude from someone who should know better. After that, Dela Edem, another member of the NDC, attacked former President J.A. Kufuor for being in a wheelchair because of his past deeds. This silly statement about President Kufuor was made by someone who, incidentally, benefitted from the NHIS, a policy introduced by Mr. Kufuor. We know Dela Edem did this because our former leader and president endorsed Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, our flag-bearer for the 2024 election. We also note the incessant insults directed at our revered King, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, by associates of the NDC, including Kelvin Taylor,” he said.

Mr. Owusu Amankwah went on to say, “We also strongly object to the recent comments made by Mustapha Gbande, the deputy secretary of the NDC, who, in attempting to spread his party’s propaganda on Okay FM, ended up insulting the Ashanti people.”

“Interestingly, while Okudzeto Ablakwa was telling Voltarians to see the NDC as a religion and vote for the party in 2024, he and Cassiel Ato Forson, the minority leader of their caucus, decided to hop from radio station to radio station urging Ashantis to reject the NPP,” he added.

He emphasized that the AHF wants to remind the NDC that these tribal tactics are being used to foment trouble in Ashanti.

Mr. Owusu Amankwah called on the NDC to rein in its misguided and wayward national executives or face the wrath of Asanteman.

“We hereby serve notice that no one will be allowed to insult our leaders, our flag-bearer, or our King and go free. We will also not tolerate people infiltrating the Ashanti region to spread hate speech and foul language,” he cautioned.