NAPO clarifies 2024 comment on Dr Nkrumah

Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) vice-presidential candidate, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, widely known as NAPO, has clarified his 2024 campaign comments about Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah.

In an interview on JoyNews sighted by GhanaWeb on September 23, 2026, the former Manhyia South Member of Parliament was asked whether his earlier comments had been taken out of context. He responded, “Totally.”

He explained that his comments were not intended to diminish Nkrumah’s legacy, adding that the records of all former presidents should be studied for both their strengths and weaknesses.

'Put politics aside and honour Nkrumah' – NAPO

“We have to study every president of the Republic of Ghana. Their strengths and their weaknesses. It has to be a lesson. Both strengths and weaknesses are lessons for all of us,” he said.

NAPO also said Nkrumah should be recognised and celebrated.

"We have to idolise him," he added.

His latest comments come after he was criticised in 2024 for saying that no president in Ghana’s history, including Dr Nkrumah, had outperformed former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

The remarks triggered criticism, with opponents and some members of the public calling for him to retract the statement and apologise.

NAPO later apologised and expressed regret over the controversy generated by the comments.

See the video below:

Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh says his 2024 comments on Dr Kwame Nkrumah were “totally” taken out of context, insisting that Nkrumah must be idolised.#JoyNews pic.twitter.com/JEhFrTzi6w

— JoyNews (@JoyNewsOnTV) September 22, 2026