NAPO missed the opportunity to appear Presidential – Kobby Mensah

Political Marketing Strategist, Professor Kobby Mensah, says Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh missed the opportunity to appear presidential and to dismiss the negative labeling attached to him.

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.

However, speaking in an interview with GHOne TV and Starr News' Naa Dedei Tettey, Professor Kobby Mensah stated that the Vice-Presidential position is a revered and dignified one, but Dr. Opoku Prempeh failed to display that.

"Of course, it was a missed opportunity for him to appear presidential, to dismiss the public perception or the tagging that has been laid on him, to actually show that indeed he has matured in his politics. But he missed those opportunities. It hadn't dawned on him the role that he was playing. I don't think so. Because he is actually kind of carrying himself as if he's a hype man. You're not a hype man. The Vice-Presidential position is a very dignified one.

"So there is a certain ambiance that you're supposed to bring to that particular level. There's a certain way that you have to carry yourself. That rabble-rousing does not augur well for such a status. It doesn't speak well of such a status. Yes, if you're on the campaign trail, you can do that," Prof. Kobby Mensah stated.

He continued, "But this is an unveiling for you to get into the history books of this country. Now, where we have to go into the history books of this country, this is the character that is going to come out. Do you want that? I think he underestimated the position."