NAPO’s claims on Akufo-Addo’s achievements baseless, shameful – Prof Adu Gyamfi

Political scientist and historian at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Professor Adu Gyamfi, suggests that Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh should be scripted to avoid such blunders in the future.

The newly unveiled running mate of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, flagbearer of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Opoku Prempeh, has faced a barrage of criticism following his claim that the incumbent President, Nana Akufo-Addo, has outperformed all previous presidents, including Ghana's first president after independence, Kwame Nkrumah.

Speaking at a rally in Kumasi, where he was officially introduced as the running mate, the former Education Minister described President Akufo-Addo's achievements as unprecedented.

His claims have sparked various reactions, with many accusing him of intellectual dishonesty.

In an interview with GHOne TV and Starr News' Naa Dedei Tettey, Professor Adu Gyamfi, a political scientist and historian at KNUST, stated that Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh's comparison is baseless.

"This is ahistorical. What a shame. On what basis, on what metric? What is he talking about? That is why I'm still saying, time and again, that he should be scripted. The truth of the matter is that you can't just stand on a platform and say that President Akufo-Addo has been the best president since 1957. We'll come to the table again on another day, and we'll make sure that he understands what he's said means to both academia and society.

"It is quite nauseating, for lack of a better term. He should know better, my sister, quite unfortunately. Look, I'm a political historian. It gets on my nerves when people speak extemporaneously and just say what they want to say, right, especially when it concerns facts and truths, historical facts and truths. On what metric is he arguing and saying that? He's overly excited. It's a fever-pitch moment. Let's hope that we get to the right occasion," Professor Adu Gyamfi stated.

He added that the NPP would have the chance and opportunity to reflect on what their running mate said during his unveiling.

"In the public's view, they are likely going to celebrate this speech and give him a lot of accolades and titles. That is what individuals wearing branded party T-shirts do, right? To sing praises to their leaders and all that. It's good.

"But the reality of the matter is that when you subject it to scrutiny, indeed, the two gentlemen, between Kufuor and President Akufo-Addo, should do their internal referendum and tell themselves who is the best president and whether this statement, which he made, will suffice."