President John Dramani Mahama has distanced himself from US-based Ghanaian journalist and political commentator Kevin Ekow Baidoo Taylor, insisting that he has never had a personal relationship or conversation with him.
Speaking in an interview that has attracted widespread attention on social media, President Mahama said Taylor is not someone he knows personally, despite the commentator’s consistent support for his administration and criticism of opposition figures.
“Kevin Taylor is an NPP member, just that he is also disappointed in the party and has turned his fire on them and against some men of God. I don’t know him and I have never spoken with him before,” President Mahama said.
The President explained that his connection is with Taylor’s father, whom he said he met during the 2024 election campaign.
“It is his father who is a Chief in Abora that I know through the campaign, so I will speak with his father to advise him,” he added.
Taylor, who operates from the United States and hosts the online political programme “With All Due Respect”, has openly expressed support for President Mahama and his administration while frequently criticising the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and other political figures.
His commentary has also focused on personalities within Ghana’s religious and traditional institutions, making him a prominent and sometimes controversial figure in the country’s political discourse.
The nature of Taylor’s commentary has, over time, prompted questions from some opposition figures and critics about whether he has any formal or informal connection with the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC).
President Mahama’s latest comments seek to draw a clear distinction between his administration and Taylor’s activities. He maintained that the commentator does not speak for him or the NDC and that his public statements should not be interpreted as reflecting the government’s position.
Claims about Taylor’s political affiliation are not new. Former NDC Minority Chief Whip Mubarak Muntaka Mubarak, in 2021, also alleged that Taylor is an NPP member who had become critical of the party.
Taylor’s political allegiance has, however, remained contested, with different political actors offering conflicting descriptions of his affiliation.
President Mahama also raised the issue of consistency in the enforcement of laws concerning political commentary and public statements.
He argued that if authorities choose to investigate or pursue individuals over controversial comments, such action should be applied fairly and without selective targeting.
In making the point, the President referenced Taylor, suggesting that authorities seeking to pursue people over their public commentary should also consider prominent commentators rather than focusing on ordinary citizens.
The comments come amid continuing political debate over arrests, investigations and alleged offences arising from social media activity and political commentary.
While President Mahama has denied knowing Taylor personally, Taylor has repeatedly used his platform to express support for the President and defend aspects of his political agenda.
Through “With All Due Respect”, he has criticised opposition figures and others whose positions he believes conflict with the government’s direction, while presenting Mahama’s administration in a favourable light.
This has led some political opponents to associate Taylor’s commentary with the NDC, although government supporters have maintained that he operates independently and does not represent the party or the President.
Taylor has consequently become a prominent voice in Ghana’s online political space, attracting both support and criticism for his outspoken approach to political and public affairs.
His broadcasts have touched on politicians, judges, traditional leaders, religious figures and other public personalities, occasionally generating controversy and strong reactions from those who disagree with his views.
President Mahama’s latest remarks add to the ongoing debate over Taylor’s political identity and affiliations. While the commentator has publicly supported the President, Mahama has stated unequivocally that he does not know Taylor personally, has never spoken with him and does not regard him as a representative of his administration or the NDC.
By 1960news.com
