Yaw Akuoko, the man at the centre of a viral video in which he was assaulted by a bodyguard of Nana Kwame Bediako, the 2024 presidential candidate of The New Force movement, has publicly responded to the incident for the first time.
Speaking calmly and without resentment, Akuoko identified himself as a supporter of The New Force, explaining that the unfortunate event happened during a solemn occasion — the funeral rites of the late Daasebre Osei Bonsu II, the Mamponghene and Krontihene of Asanteman — in Asante Mampong, Ashanti Region.
“It Was Raining… I Was Just Trying to Follow Him”
Recounting the event, Yaw Akuoko said the atmosphere was chaotic due to the rain. According to him, as Nana Kwame Bediako made his way through the funeral grounds to greet the queen mother, supporters, including Akuoko, tried to follow him.
“It was raining and Nana was passing by, on his way to see the queen. We were rushing to go with him and the security man turned and hit me twice,” Akuoko recalled.
The bodyguard, later identified as Andy Acheampong, popularly known by the nickname Seven, was captured in a now-viral video striking Akuoko without any apparent provocation. The video sparked widespread outrage on social media, with many condemning the bodyguard’s conduct and demanding accountability from the New Force campaign.
Nana Kwame Bediako Personally Intervenes
Following the public backlash and the video’s rapid circulation online, Akuoko revealed that Nana Kwame Bediako himself intervened directly to address the situation. According to him, the movement’s leader reached out and made arrangements for his medical treatment.
“The video started trending, and Nana called me to arrange for me to come to Accra. When I arrived, they assigned a doctor to check on me. Now I’m okay, and I have forgiven my brother because he himself has admitted his fault,” Akuoko stated.
His forgiveness and composed response have been widely praised by those who believe this incident could have escalated tensions between supporters and security operatives.
Disciplinary Action Taken Against the Bodyguard
In the wake of the incident, The New Force Movement acted swiftly by suspending the bodyguard, Seven, from all campaign-related duties. In a public statement, the movement explained that an internal investigation had been launched and that Seven had been enrolled in an anger management programme as part of corrective disciplinary action.
“The New Force has zero tolerance for any form of violence or abuse — especially against our own supporters,” a spokesperson for the movement said. “While we understand the pressure security officers face in such crowded environments, professionalism and restraint must always be maintained.”
Political Implications and Public Reactions
The assault raised concerns about security conduct during political events in Ghana, especially as the 2028 election campaign season looms. While some critics used the opportunity to question the readiness of new political movements to operate with discipline, others commended the swift and responsible manner in which the situation was handled by both Nana Kwame Bediako and the movement’s leadership.
On social media, some commentators expressed relief that the incident did not spiral into greater conflict.
“What matters is not that mistakes happen, but how leaders respond. Nana showing concern and ensuring the victim got medical help was commendable,” one user tweeted.
Others stressed the importance of continuous training for political security operatives, particularly as non-traditional candidates like Bediako continue to attract large crowds with minimal experience in conventional political structure.
Unity, Forgiveness, and Moving Forward
Perhaps the most notable outcome of the incident has been Yaw Akuoko’s dignified response. Rather than demanding compensation or launching into a media crusade, he opted for forgiveness — a gesture that reflects a deep commitment to the movement and to peace.
“I have forgiven my brother,” he said, referring to the bodyguard. “He admitted his mistake, and we’ve all moved on.”
This attitude has been celebrated as a powerful example of political maturity and restraint, especially in an era when tensions often escalate quickly in the political landscape.
As Ghana continues its journey toward the 2028 general elections, moments like these test not only the character of candidates but also the values of their supporters and the professionalism of their teams. While the assault on Yaw Akuoko was unfortunate and unacceptable, the swift intervention, apology, and resolution highlight how political crises can be addressed with transparency and humanity.
Moving forward, The New Force and other political groups may need to reinforce protocols and retrain their security personnel to prevent similar incidents. But for now, Ghanaians can take comfort in the fact that forgiveness and accountability have prevailed — and that one supporter’s calm voice helped de-escalate what could have been a damaging episode.
