The National Youth Wing of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has endorsed comments made by Samuel Atta Akyea, the Member of Parliament for Akim Abuakwa South, who referred to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, as a “drunkard.”
These remarks were made by the lawmaker on August 27, 2024, during a campaign rally, where he suggested that the former President is an alcoholic. In response, the NDC, through its General Secretary, Fiifi Kwetey, described the comments as “unfortunate” and demanded an apology and retraction from the former Minister for Works and Housing.
However, in a press release signed by the National Youth Organizer of the NPP, Salam Mustapha, the party stated that “We are by this release declaring our full support to the MP and demand that no apology is rendered to John Mahama and his NDC.”
They also noted that the “drunkard” label was first introduced by Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, the former Minister of Finance, during the NDC presidential primaries in 2020.
“He who seeks equity must come with clean hands. The very signee of the press release is more guilty than the MP he seeks to caution. Fiifi Kwetey has made far worse disparaging and condescending remarks than this harmless comment.
“There are too many videos of him insulting the presidential candidate of the NPP, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and even his wife – Hajia Samira Bawumia. We are surprised that he mustered such moral audacity to sign and release such a crap,” a portion of the release read.
He added that, “Again, John Dramani Mahama himself few days ago called Dr. Bawumia a liar without any apology or reprimand. Now, just a small punch from Hon. Samuel Atta Akyea and they are bleating? I can assure the NDC that we will return fire for fire. Our presidential candidate is a human being too with blood running in his veins just like their demigod that they seek to protect. We will not allow the NDC to turn him into their punching bag.”
The NPP youth organizer continued “The tag on John Dramani Mahama as a drunk, did not come from the NPP but from the NDC. Its top brass, Dr. Kwabena Duffour was the one who told the NDC delegates not to vote for John Dramani Mahama in their presidential primaries and that he had a serious and chronic alcohol addiction problem. Dr. Duffour has since not withdrawn those words nor apologized. Therefore, Hon. Samuel Atta Akyea spoke nothing but the truth in line with this revelation from a top NDC member and so why should he apologize?” the release concluded.
Read the full statement below:
