You've got much work to do about NAPO - Dr. Otchere-Ankrah to NPP

Dr. Benjamin Otchere-Ankrah, a governance lecturer at Central University, has called on the leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to guide their Running Mate in his public speeches.

Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh was publicly unveiled in Kumasi as the Vice Presidential Candidate to Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the Presidential Candidate of the NPP, on Tuesday, July 9.

During the unveiling ceremony, Dr. Opoku Prempeh, popularly known as "NAPO," made statements about Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, which have infuriated many Ghanaians, particularly Nkrumahists.

NAPO asserted that no President in the history of Ghana has ever worked to develop the country like President Akufo-Addo.

"Since independence from 1957 till today, we've not had any president who has helped Ghana like Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. I say from 1957 till today, you can bring your Kwame Nkrumah... no president has protected Ghana and moved the country forward like Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo," he said.

The event was largely attended by the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Vice President and flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Ministers, Members of Parliament, and members and supporters of the party.

The Convention People's Party has petitioned the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to dismiss NAPO as Energy Minister and demands the NPP drop him as their Running Mate.

The Nkrumahist party also admonished Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh to retract his words and apologize.

"Failing which, the party calls on His Excellency President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to withdraw the Honorable Minister from his position as Minister of Energy, and also calls on His Excellency Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to withdraw him as his Vice Presidential candidate, for the sake of the country's image and its long-term political and economic fortunes. Ghanaians and Nkrumahists worldwide will have no choice but to hit the streets to register their displeasure if the above, or similar measures, are not immediately enforced within 24 hours," a statement by the CPP read.

"As the popular saying goes, 'one who puts on his armor should not boast like one who takes it off'; there is an election to be fought, albeit at the ballot box, and it would serve the sitting Government well to heed the voice of the people, lest their imminent electoral defeat becomes even worse than it is predicted to be," the statement continued.

Discussing the issue on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" show, Dr. Benjamin Otchere-Ankrah strongly opined that the handlers of Dr. Opoku Prempeh have a difficult task ahead but implored them to work diligently to manage their Running Mate.

"They have to get good managers for him. He is a good person by all standards. I didn't know him, but listening to testimonies about him, he has indeed helped a lot of people; yes, it is good, but... he should watch his tongue," he stated.

Dr. Otchere-Ankrah stressed, "The party executives have got a lot of work to do."