IMANI Boss Condemns Alleged Beating of Student By Mahama’s Bodyguards
The Chief Executive Officer of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjo has spoken against political intolerance by political actors and their followers after a reported abuse of a student leader at the Christian Service University College by bodyguards of former President John Dramani Mahama.
Reacting to the incident which took place during a lecture by the 2024 Flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) at the University, he stated “Please political violence of all kinds must not be tolerated.”
He further called for punitive measures against the perpetrators.
“The perpetrators of this heinous beating must be found and punished.”
Background
The student identified as Nana Boakye is reported to have been physically assaulted by the bodyguards of the former President after he shouted, “You are a liar, You will lose the 2024 elections,” while Mr Mahama was on the microphone addressing the congregation.
Reports say he found himself in deep trouble as he got whisked into a room where he could be heard shouting for help, apparently while being “beaten”.
The victim is quoted to have told the media, “l was given two hefty slaps amidst terrible blows delivered all over my body. I’m in so much pains, l walk sideways now.”
Reacting to the development, the youth wing of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) that identifies with the victim said the conduct is “most barbaric and uncivilized”.
“We are not just shocked by the news but the audacity to assault students on their own campus. This is most barbaric and uncivilised. As reported, the only crime of the students was that they shouted ‘Mahama b3 w3’. This harmless statement caused the bodyguards to rush to the students in rambo-style and beat them in the presence of John Mahama and members of the convocation without any reprimand.”
“The NPP youth wing is absolutely disgusted by this recklessly irresponsible act of thuggery and hooliganism by John Mahama’s security team. This is reprehensible. We are waiting to see if John Mahama has any respect for the students of Ghana and the youth in general by his action or inaction,” a statement it released said.
They are demanding an unqualified apology from the former president and his assistance in arresting the perpetrators.
“We also demand that John Mahama gives out these thugs for the law to deal with them. Otherwise, we will advise students to always go to NDC events also well prepared for eventualities, or boycott John Mahama and his NDC entirely as they portend nothing but an imminent threat and danger to them.”
