Former Member of Parliament for Manhyia North, Collins Owusu Amankwah, has alleged that some persons in the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) regularly finances US-based Ghanaian broadcaster and socialite Kevin Taylor to launch verbal attacks on political opponents, traditional leaders, and prominent statesmen.
Speaking on United Television’s (UTV) flagship political show hosted by Agya Kwabena, the former lawmaker called for an immediate end to the rising tide of political vitriol in the country.
He criticized the NDC for allegedly bankrolling destructive rhetoric rather than condemning it.
“I can say with absolute confidence, backed by credible intelligence, that the NDC pays Kevin Taylor to sustain his insulting behavior because they directly benefit from it,” Hon. Amankwah alleged.
Threat:
Hon. Amankwah described the deliberate use of personal insults and character assassination in public discourse as dangerous and abhorrent.
He noted that public figures routinely face malicious narratives designed to destroy their reputations, homes, and standing in society.
“Both myself and Agya Kwabena have been on the receiving end of these vicious attacks,” Amankwah stated.
He stated that, “while those of us in the political arena have developed thick skins, failing to check this behavior will slip us down a dangerous slope that could prove disastrous for the nation.”
Double Standards:
The former MP further condemned both Kevin Taylor and a social media personality known as “Ghana Jollof” for targeting prominent women in Ghanaian politics, including former Second Lady Samira Bawumia and current First Lady, Lordina Mahama.
Amankwah pointed out what he viewed as hypocritical behavior by the NDC, noting that the party remained silent while Samira Bawumia was subjected to persistent abuse, yet quickly demanded accountability when their own members were targeted.
“Hajia Samira Bawumia, an affable and decent woman has constantly suffered vitriolic attacks from Kevin Taylor without a single condemnation from the NDC or affiliated civil society groups,” he said.
He added that “yet, when similar conduct touches their side, they suddenly express outrage and deploy state apparatus to go after people.”
Background:
Kevin Taylor is a controversial US-based Ghanaian media practitioner and founder of Loud Silence Media, known for his aggressive political commentary largely targeting the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Collins Owusu Amankwah served as the NPP Member of Parliament for Manhyia North in the Ashanti Region from 2013 to 2021.
Political discourse in Ghana has increasingly been shaped by social media commentators and overseas commentators, leading to heightened calls from civil society organizations for political parties to disavow hate speech and personal attacks ahead of major elections.
Source: Ghana/otecfmghana.com/ Michael Ofosu-Afriyie, Kumasi.
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