A public lecture at the Christian Service University took a violent turn when a second-year student sustained a head injury after an alleged assault by supporters of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Kumasi. The incident occurred during the university's 50th-anniversary event, which featured former President and 2024 NDC flagbearer, John Mahama.
The victim, Nana Boakye, who is an organizer for the NPP’s student wing, TESCON, reportedly retorted to Mahama’s criticism of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s campaign, described as a “concert party.”
During his speech, Mahama remarked, “Ghanaians are in dire straits and this is not the time for comedy. This is not the time for a concert party about passing a mythical steer to somebody,” which was met with applause from the audience. However, Nana Boakye's vocal disapproval led to a confrontation.
Boakye recounted the event, saying, “I also responded and said, ‘Mahama wo boa' na wo b3 wi’ [Meaning Mahama you’re lying, you will lose]. Later on, I saw a macho man who approached me and gave me a warning that I should be careful. So, I also asked him ‘What have I done’? And the moment I asked him the question, he came directly and slapped me in front of the former President. So on our way out of the auditorium, when we got to the main entrance of the auditorium, I heard another slap. Out of that, I was not able to see anything, and I also saw one guy who held my hand backwards, and they started beating me in my stomach, my head and stuff like that.”
Boakye, now with his head bandaged and arm in a splint, described how attempts to rescue him failed as irate party members broke into the office where he was sheltered. The NPP in the Ashanti Region has expressed outrage over the incident. Spokesperson Paul Yandoh voiced their disappointment, highlighting the severity of the attack.
As of now, Nana Boakye has yet to file an official complaint with the police.