After months of speculations about his health, former Executive Secretary to former President Akufo-Addo, Nana Bediatuo Asante, has been seen partying hard with the rich and affluent at East Legon in Accra.
It is unclear what they were parting about but his rare appearance in the public space has sparked discussion.
A video of him has popped up on the internet where he’s seen holding a microphone and singing a highlife song released in the 1990s.
The once firebrand and powerful appointee, dressed in an all-black political suit, delivered an ecstatic performance of the late Nana Tuffour’s hit track Nyankonton, which speaks about life’s struggles,
From Tuffour’s 1993 album Genesis, Nyankonton talks about life’s struggles in relation to poverty, ill health, and childlessness; the song’s theme seemed to mimic the current status of someone with poor health.
In the video, Asante was held by one hand on the left to give support while his right hand hanged in active like someone who has suffered stroke.
He was held by the former Black Stars defender Sammy Osei Kufuor while the rest of the all-white party attendees watched him with mixed feelings with most appearing sad.
He was being backed by the former Bayern Munich star, who also had a microphone.
The video has since been making rounds on social media with many users expressing divergent views. While some are happy to see him standing on his fit, others had unkind words for him accusing him of seizing lands belonging to the Ga people and so on.
Aside Sammy Kufuor other known faces in the video were Kwame Osei Despite (owner of Despite Media) and other members of the East Legon Executive Club.
Recall that exactly one year ago, the powerful relation of Akufo-Addo was speculated in the media that he has suffered a terminal ailment while on a trip with the president then in the United States (US).
He was part of a high powered delegation of President Akufo-Addo to the United Nations General Assembly in New York in the United States (US).
He was said to have suffered massive stroke and rushed to the hospital following which he was said to have been confined in a wheelchair. Government did not speak to the issue immediately.
Nut later, a statement issued on Wednesday, October 2, 2024 by the Presidency explained that, Asante felt unwell following his participation as key member of the delegation at the 79th UNGA.
The statement, confirmed that, Asante was subsequently admitted to the hospital where he was in a stable condition and responding to treatment.
“The medical team has indicated that Nana Bediatuo Asante’s recovery is progressing as expected, and we remain optimistic about his full recovery”. Signed by the then Director of Communications at the Presidency, Eugene Arhin, the statement asked for continuous prayers and support for Asante his family during that difficult period.
A former member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Hopeson Adorye claimed he was behind the sickness saying he was only retaliating what was done to him by Asante.
He accused of orchestrating his removal from the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) VIP section. Adorye accused of giving the duty free store at KIA’s Terminal Three to his Nigerian wife.
He also accused him of many acts including his arrest by the Police indicating he was aware of his schemes to get him imprisoned. Recall that Adorye was arrested last year in the run up to the December general election over his claim that he was involved in a dynamite explosion somewhere in the Volta Region in the 2020 election.
“My regards to Asante Bediatuo. Since he is bent on putting me in police cells, he will be jailed while I am still alive. He is nobody; the position he currently occupies, I was instrumental in establishing it.
He was nowhere to be found when we were fighting for it. So, if he has gotten a position, he should keep quiet and enjoy it. I heard everything he said, and nothing will happen. He cannot do anything to me”.
After learning about the alleged ailment, Adorye boasted that he was behind what befell Asante and that he did him “back to sender”.
Later, and after losing the 2024 general election, Asante who is a lawyer of many years was seen a picture with other appointees of the erstwhile administration as well as Akufo-Addo.
While some had argued it was an old photo, others maintained it was recent.
Nothing was heard about the former Executive Secretary who allegedly is accused variously of forcefully taking lands and properties belonging to the state.