Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh
The running mate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, alias Napo, has suffered from the stress of baptism of fire.
A simple remark by Napo on the occasion of his “outdooring” in Kumasi has drawn blood from a section of society, mostly members of the dormant CPP and NDC who elevate Kwame Nkrumah to the level of God. And for which reason it is “haram” to say anything negative about Kwame Nkrumah. To them, it is a taboo to compare Kwame Nkrumah with any mortal.
Our politics and relationships have become very adversarial because of partisan politics.
We know the attributes of Napo. He is a doer, and demonstrated same at the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Energy. Napo has worked tirelessly over the last three years or so to keep the power on, thus putting to shame John Jinapor, who has consistently prayed for ‘dumsor’.
Napo must concentrate on his mandate to assist Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to ‘break the eight’. We want to hear Napo talk about how his policies as a Minister of State impacted life to put to shame the NDC flagbearer, during whose tenure teachers were denied common chalk to work.
We urge you to listen to the admonitions of your grandfather, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and stay focused on your assignment as running mate. It is also important for the handlers, including his media team to always ensure that he stays within the issues that would move the hearts of the electorate.
For now, Napo should stay away from controversy. When John Mahama referred to a whole Ashanti people that they are ingrates, Ghanaians hardly protested. Again in 2016 or thereabout, when the NDC flagbearer said Kyebi was the headquarters of galamsey and referred to Akyems as “sakawa mafia,” there was a loud silence.
Also, once upon a time John Mahama referred to an argument from NPP quarters as baloney. These are not good examples to learn from a former President, but we make reference to them for the sake of our polemics and to emphasise the need for decency on the political landscape. It is against this backdrop that we want Napo to quickly leave that “setback” and continue with engagements with the electorate to seek votes to break the eight.
We remind Napo to learn from his presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who regardless of the weather is out in the field, “preaching his good news” of breaking the eight. Napo, the votes are out there; in the communities, the farms, the markets, the streets, lorry stations and other locations that people congregate to “preach” to them.
Already, the Akufo-Addo government has achieved many milestones that have impacted families across the country unlike the NDC that cannot explain its own idea of 24-hour economy.
Napo, if for any reason you must make a comparison, do the one that would resonate on the people like the far-reaching free SHS, that no government in Africa has ever been able to implement. The success of the free SHS has become so phenomenal to the extent that John Mahama wants to “steal” some of its impact.
Never mind that the NDC in 2016 carried over 40 adverts against the free SHS while his General Secretary, Fifi Kwetey said, “Free SHS, all lie be lie”. The master of rhetoric, John Mahama, in the heat of the 2016 campaign warned Ghanaians to be wary of President Akufo-Addo’s promise to introduce free SHS if the people voted for him.
Listen to John Mahama, as he boomed on the campaign platform that, “Free SHS, is a whimsical promise from a desperate politician”. We advise John Mahama to acknowledge the bold free SHS policy and pat President Akufo-Addo for his courage and foresight, and stop the propaganda against the policy.
As for the trap, we can assure you that more will be set for you, from even some members of the NPP, but in the words of Godfred Yeboah Dame, the Attorney General, be vigilant so that you can “jump over the trap”. Failure has never been your portion.
We counsel you to work hard, build bridges even to those opposed to you, and respect every Ghanaian, irrespective of status. That way, victory would crown the efforts of the NPP ticket of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and Napo.