Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia with Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh
A grand durbar of chiefs and people of Asanteman was held yesterday at the Nana Afia Kobi Park inside the Manhyia Palace, to welcome the New Patriotic Party (NPP) delegation to the Ashanti Regional capital, Kumasi.
Led by President Nana Akufo-Addo, the party presented its flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and running mate, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, affectionately called Napo to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, for his blessings, advice and support.
President Akufo-Addo passionately appealed to the Asantehene to bless the NPP presidential ticket for the December 7 elections as the duo are set to begin their campaign for votes across the country.
He stated categorically that Dr. Bawumia and Dr. Prempeh would easily win the December 7 polls if the Asantehene gives them his blessing.
Sounding very confident in the NPP presidential ticket, President Akufo-Addo stated that the country would surely witness massive transformation in all areas if Dr. Bawumia is elected to replace him during the December 7 polls.
According to President Akufo-Addo, he has worked with both Dr. Bawumia and Napo during the last eight years, so he can confidently vouch for their competence, hard work and efficiency to deliver as president and vice president.
“I have worked with both of them and I know they can do the work better for mother Ghana to go to the Promised Land,” he said, reiterating his appeal to the Asantehene to bless Dr. Bawumia and Napo to ensure electoral victory.
Manhyia Palace Link
Still appealing to the Asantehene to pray for the NPP presidential ticket, he said, “Dr. Bawumia selected your own grandson, who is from this Manhyia Palace as his running mate, and that’s a good choice.”
President Akufo-Addo stated, “Otumfuo, we have brought good news to you today because your grandson is our party’s running mate. I know definitely this splendid news will gladden your heart and that of the chiefs here.”
Napo Endorsement
According to him, the Dr. Bawumia and Napo ticket is the best for the ruling political party, indicating that the entire NPP National Executive Council (NEC) unanimously endorsed Napo as the party’s running mate when Dr. Bawumia presented his name to them.
The President said Dr. Bawumia picked Napo as his running mate because he has strong confidence in him (Napo) to offer the needed support, to enable the NPP make history by breaking the eight-year governance cycle.
Praises Bawumia
President Akufo-Addo said he is a lucky president, recounting that, “Dr. Bawumia has helped me in diverse ways as Vice President for eight years. He is humble and he has also been a solid supporter of me for the last eight years.”
Still praising Dr. Bawumia, he said, “I’m a lucky President to have Bawumia as my Vice President,” boldly predicting that the Dr. Bawumia and Napo ticket can ‘break the eight’ for the NPP and also continue with his good works.
Napo’s Achievements
He said, “I appointed Napo as my Education Minister and he delivered the Free Senior High School (FSHS) policy to perfection,” adding that Napo is competent, and he is also delivering at the Energy Ministry to ensure stable power supply.
“Napo delivered the Free SHS policy with ease, and now those who were against the policy, strangely, are saying that they rather introduced the Free SHS programme,” reiterating that Napo is the perfect running mate for Dr. Bawumia.
NPP stalwarts such as Freddie Blay, Stephen Ntim, Justin Kodua Frimpong, Henry Nana Boakye, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, and Bernard Antwi Boasiako graced the event at the Manhyia Palace.
FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi