
Photo: A cross-section of the protesters at a press conference, apologising to the party and James Kofi Annan
A storm of controversy has subsided after a group of fiery NDC youth in the Effutu Constituency, who went on a destructive rampage last week, issued a heartfelt apology to President John Mahama, the NDC party, and their parliamentary candidate, James Kofi Annan.
In a dramatic press conference that followed the chaos, the group begged for forgiveness after their protest turned violent, with the youth demanding that their two-term candidate, Annan, be given a government position. Their frustration boiled over, they claimed, after seeing a man they believed to be close to the NPP appointed as Gaming Commissioner—a move they considered an insult to Annan, who they say has suffered greatly for the party.
“The frustration built up when we saw someone with ties to the NPP being given an appointment while James Kofi Annan, a man who has put everything on the line for the party, was sidelined. It just didn’t feel right,” said Musa Moro, the spokesperson for the group.
The protest began with anger over what the youth saw as Annan’s unfair treatment, citing how his businesses were targeted because of his financial backing for the NDC during the opposition days. The sight of another appointment, they claimed, added salt to the wound.
However, the protest soon spiraled out of control, and what was meant to be a peaceful demonstration turned into a rampage that disrupted a scheduled meeting by the Effutu Constituency Executives. In their apology, the group expressed deep regret, especially for associating Annan’s name with their reckless behaviour.
“We never meant to drag Dr. Annan’s name through the mud. He has every right to be angry with us,” Moro admitted. “We acted out of frustration, and for that, we are truly sorry.”
The group also pledged to fix all damages caused during the protest, vowing to repair anything they broke in their reckless actions. More importantly, they said they would accept any disciplinary action the NDC party deems necessary.
“We’ll do whatever it takes to make things right,” Moro concluded, “and we’ll face any consequences that come our way. But above all, we remain loyal to the party and to the President.”
While the apology may have calmed some nerves, it remains to be seen whether the tension caused by this outburst will leave lasting scars. One thing is certain: the Effutu NDC youth have learned a hard lesson about pushing for change the right way—without resorting to chaos and disruption.