Do you automatically become a royal if you’re named after a royal? – Asiedu Nketiah quizzes

The Chairman of the National Democratic Congress, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has raised questions over the legality of Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh’s claim of being a royal.

According to him, calls by some Ghanaians for an investigation to be conducted to ascertain the authenticity of NAPO’s claims regarding his royal lineage are justified.

In a guest appearance on Okay FM’s morning show on Monday, July 22, 2024, Asiedu Nketiah quizzed why NAPO, being an Akan, claimed partnership with his father’s lineage instead of his mother’s, as custom demands in Akan tradition.

The politician further queried why the NPP running mate has concealed the true lineage of his mother, challenging him to come forth with the truth.

He therefore advised NAPO not to prioritise his royalty affiliation but instead convince Ghanaians of his leadership qualities, capabilities and how he can contribute to the nation's development ahead of the polls.

“A historian from Manhyia has come to dispute that claim that he (NAPO) is a royal so now the debate will shift from what he is capable of doing or not capable of doing to saying he should prove his claim. Some are even asking the whereabouts of his mother and where his mother hails from. All this will be a distraction from what he actually has to offer.

“The historian said Ashanti people don’t inherit from their paternal side. Nana Prempeh I whose son is NAPO’s father isn’t even the uncle of NAPO’s father. So how can NAPO be a royal when his grandfather who is the king's son isn’t even a royal? So does it mean if you’re named after someone you automatically become royalty?” he said.

He added “If you claim you are from a royal family so we should vote for you, then we need to investigate the claims.”

Asiedu Nketiah’s comment comes on the back of claims by Lawyer Anokye Frimpong disputing NAPO’s royalty lineage.

According to Lawyer Anokye Frimpong, who was speaking on Onua TV’s Maakye show, Akan’s practice the patrilineal inheritance and not matrilineal.

MAG/ ADG