By Issah Olegor
The disclosure that Franklin Cudjoe, Founding President and Chief Executive Officer of the IMANI Centre for Policy and Education, has been living with Parkinson’s disease for the past eight years has cast new light on his public appearances and reignited discussions about health, dignity and understanding in the civic space.
Franklin Cudjoe’s condition came to public attention after a video interview he granted to Joy News began circulating on social media.
Clips from the interview were widely shared, with some social media users questioning his physical movements and composure.
In certain instances, the footage was reposted in a mocking or dismissive tone, largely driven by political disagreements and a lack of awareness about neurological disorders.
At the time, few members of the public were aware that Franklin Cudjoe was battling a medical condition.
As a result, his gestures and mannerisms were misinterpreted as confusion or inconsistency in his political commentary.
The situation, however, changed when he officially confirmed he was living with Parkinson’s disease, ending years of private struggle.
In a Facebook post published at the beginning of 2026, Cudjoe explained that he had earlier mentioned living with a movement disorder and was now ready to publicly state that it was Parkinson’s disease.
He revealed that he had been managing the condition for eight years, with the support of neurologists in Ghana, despite the country’s limited number of specialists in that field.
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Medical Treatment Abroad
He further disclosed that, through the assistance of close acquaintances, he had also sought medical care abroad, highlighting the high cost of managing Parkinson’s disease.
According to him, although the condition has no cure, it is not fatal and can be controlled through medication, strict lifestyle adjustments, dietary discipline and regular physical exercise.
Following the public confirmation, some individuals who had previously shared videos questioning his health expressed regret and deleted their posts.
However, the clips continued to circulate, raising concerns about the growing culture of online ridicule and the ease with which personal suffering can be turned into entertainment.
Beyond the immediate controversy, Cudjoe’s revelation has drawn attention to his long-standing contributions to national development.
