New Patriotic Party (NPP) communicator, Benjamin Gyewu-Appiah, has issued a heartfelt apology to Ghanaians after causing a stir with his bold declaration to set himself ablaze if John Dramani Mahama won the 2024 election. In a candid interview on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem on Tuesday, Gyewu-Appiah admitted that he had underestimated the seriousness with which his statement would be taken. He expressed his regret, noting that it was not meant to be a literal threat but rather an emotional outburst aimed at rallying the party’s supporters in the face of perceived setbacks. “I’m sorry if Ghanaians thought I would set myself on fire,” he said. “It was just a political talk, and I didn’t think anyone would take it seriously.” Gyewu-Appiah’s comments sparked widespread concern and criticism, underscoring the volatility and tension surrounding the election.
The NPP communicator’s apology came after Mahama’s decisive victory in the 2024 presidential election, where he garnered 6,328,397 votes, or 56.55% of the total. This was a stark contrast to Gyewu-Appiah’s earlier optimism for the NPP’s candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who had been confident of a landslide win. Reflecting on the unexpected result, Gyewu-Appiah explained that his declaration was made in frustration after hearing commentators downplay the NPP’s chances in the election. “I know the work we had done and just couldn’t listen to someone downplay our chances in the election,” he added. “I just needed to say something to motivate the rank and file of the party.” Despite his initial intention, Gyewu-Appiah’s comments ended up attracting a storm of backlash, prompting his public apology to assure the public that his statement was not a genuine threat.
In his apology, Gyewu-Appiah also urged Ghanaians to support President-elect John Mahama in his efforts to reset and rebuild the country, acknowledging the significant task ahead. “I know it’s going to be a challenging period for the country, but I believe in the president-elect’s vision to bring about positive change,” he stated. “I hope we can all come together to support him in this transition period and work towards the development of Ghana.” Gyewu-Appiah’s public retraction and apology reflect a broader understanding within the NPP of the need to maintain responsible rhetoric and avoid hyperbole in politically charged environments. His regretful words underscore the importance of maturity in political communication, especially in a time of heightened emotions and national transition.
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