Dr. Opoku Prempeh in a tete-a-tete with Osagyefo Ampem Annye Amoampong Tabrako III
The running mate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has stressed that the NPP is the only political party that consistently brings substantial development and progress to the lives of Ghanaians when in power.
Dr. Opoku Prempeh made these remarks during a visit to the paramount chief of the Wenchi Traditional Area, Osagyefo Ampem Annye Amoapong Tabrako III, where he paid homage and introduced himself as the running mate to the party’s flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
Pleading with constituents to vote for the NPP to retain power and continue its beneficial policies, Dr. Opoku Prempeh reminded them that not all political parties are equal in terms of policy implementation that positively impacts citizens.
He contrasted the NPP’s policies with those of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), citing initiatives such as the National Health Insurance Scheme, the School Feeding Programme, and Free Maternal Health Care established under former President John Agyekum Kufuor.
Under current President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, he pointed out, the NPP has implemented the Free Senior High School (SHS) Policy and Free Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), while also employing thousands of nurses and teachers, unlike the NDC, which faced criticism for high unemployment rates and prolonged power outages, commonly referred to as ‘dumsor’.
“A good party brings development and progress to its citizens,” he stated. He characterised opposition leader John Dramani Mahama as divisive, accusing him of sowing discord and promoting ethnocentrism.
Dr. Opoku Prempeh recalled Mahama’s past comments about Dr. Bawumia, questioning his assertion that the NPP would use and then discard him.
“Isn’t Dr. Bawumia now leading the party?” he asked, warning voters about the character of those they are dealing with.
He also reminded attendees of the atrocities committed during the PNDC era, including violence against clergy, cautioning voters to be wary of the NDC and Mahama, who he claimed would bring disunity and stagnation if re-elected.
He urged the people of Wenchi to vote overwhelmingly for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to continue the positive legacy of the Nana Addo-led government.
He noted that Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has pledged to consult with chiefs on governance decisions that will affect the nation before implementation.
In his address, Osagyefo Ampem Annye Amoampong Tabrako III acknowledged Dr. Opoku Prempeh’s contributions as former Minister of Energy and his efforts in education, particularly praising the smooth implementation of the Free SHS initiative.
He noted that despite Wenchi’s historical significance to the NPP, residents had not seen enough benefits from the party, and urged the Dr. Opoku Prempeh to ensure greater support for the constituency if they retained power.
“The people of Wenchi are NPP supporters, and I believe they will not turn their backs on you,” he concluded.
The NPP parliamentary candidate for the constituency, Kojo Frimpong, asked Nananom to offer prayers to the ancestors to bless him and the NPP.
FROM Daniel Y Dayee, Wenchi