'I hold Kufuor in high esteem' – Ama Daaku refutes claims of attacking statesman

Ellen Ama Daaku, an aide to former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has dismissed suggestions that she disrespected former President John Agyekum Kufuor in a video that recently surfaced online.

Addressing the contents of the video via a statement on December 9, 2025, Ama Daaku stressed that she holds the former president in high regard and would never deliberately attack him.

“I hold President Kufuor in high esteem. He is a statesman and someone whose leadership and legacy continue to inspire the New Patriotic Party and the nation. My political journey has been shaped by the values he championed, and I have never and would never speak against him,” the statement read.

Not all went well under his regime - Ama Daaku hits back at Former President Kufuor

The controversy arose after a video clip circulated in which she appeared to challenge Kufuor’s criticisms of the Akufo-Addo administration.

In the clip, she noted that not everything went smoothly under Kufuor’s government either, a statement some interpreted as a direct attack.

“He (Kufuor) is not supposed to agree with every decision that the former president (Akufo-Addo) made. He had his time; he did it. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo also had his time. Both must be assessed individually on the basis of their deeds and performance in office,” she said

Ama Daaku explained that her comments were taken out of context.

She stated that her point was simply that every administration faces challenges, and that it is unfair to expect former leaders to endorse every decision of their successors.

“The video being circulated is a short excerpt taken out of context from a much deeper discussion. In that discussion, I was defending the former president’s independence of thought, not criticising him. My point was simple: former President Kufuor is not obliged to agree with every decision taken by the Akufo-Addo administration.

"... A statesman of his stature is entitled to his own reflections, informed by decades of experience. This is a sign of political maturity, not disloyalty,” Ama Daaku said in the statement.

I didn't understand Akufo-Addo's leadership – Former President Kufuor

Read the full statement below:

VKB/AE

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