The running mate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh, commonly known as “Napo,” is under intense scrutiny as Ghana goes to the polls in less than 24 hours. His previous and recent utterances during campaign rallies which sparked widespread criticism and debate among citizens and political experts “meet” him on the December 7 elections.
During his unveiling ceremony in Kumasi on July 9, Napo controversially said that President Akufo-Addo’s legacy outshines that of Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. This assertion drew sharp criticism from various political figures, including Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, the Deputy Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Ellembelle, who labeled the comparison as “insulting and grossly misguided.” The Convention People’s Party (CPP) also expressed discontent, condemning Napo’s remarks as disrespectful to Nkrumah’s legacy.
Following the backlash, Napo publicly apologized for his comments, emphasizing that they were merely his personal opinion and did not reflect the official position of the NPP. He reiterated his respect for Ghana’s first President and attempted to mitigate the fallout from his statements.
In addition to these remarks, Napo’s statements during a visit to Yendi, Northern Ghana, suggested that Muslims who vote for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) would be committing a “haram” act, (an abomination).
“If you are a Muslim and you live in Dagbon, you are a Dagbon, and you take your thumbprint and you vote for NDC, it is a haram.”
Also, in an attempt to Jab the opposition leader, John Mahama, Napo said “There is no country in the world that operates 24 hours; even God, who created the world, rests at night.
Political analysts believe Napo’s statements could significantly impact the NPP’s campaign as elections loom on December 7. Many Ghanaians are expressing their discontent, with some stating that they may vote against the party based on his conduct and comments.
Voters are increasingly concerned about the implications of Napo’s utterances on their decision-making, particularly regarding his perceived dishonesty and lack of respect for historical figures like Nkrumah.
With growing concerns about Napo’s communication skills, some suggest that Napo should be equipped with prepared statements to better articulate his positions and connect with the electorate.
“He should be given a sheet of paper, his language must be given a speech to read because that man is not having communication skills at all”
“Of course, it’s going to affect the election, and it’s going to affect him too. People were looking up to him as a fresh voice for the party, but he made utterances that were in contrast with what the people wanted to hear. Furthermore, he irritated Ghanaians by telling them there was no “dumsor” (power outage), and he made statements that angered people about Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. All these incidents give you an idea of what this person is like. He’s someone who feels comfortable disregarding Ghanaian needs as important. Unlike others who speak with empathy for the ordinary Ghanaian, he didn’t come to help the party at all. It will affect them, but since it’s an election, anything can happen, so let’s see how events turn out’ said Saddick.
Lucy reiterated that, “I feel it will have a great impact on December 7. Some of us have already made our decision after hearing him speak. I don’t want to comment on his personality, but some of the things he said will work against him. For instance, if I were part of Nkrumah’s family today and someone was disrespecting him and his legacy, which has brought Ghana this far, I wouldn’t vote for that person. I think this man is dishonest because if you’re campaigning to become vice president and still choose to lie about us despite knowing the facts, then you won’t be faithful to us. I don’t think he’s there yet. Although I’m not affiliated with any political party, I won’t vote for someone who isn’t qualified. He needs more training and experience”.
“Napo de3, his utterances and actions will indeed affect him. Ghanaians are human, and you can’t just say anything and expect to get away with it. Interestingly, Napo even attended a school built by Nkrumah. You can see his dishonesty in his recent video where he said “Mahama nei Lomotey nei.” When he was called out for it, he didn’t own up to his mistake; instead, he blamed those who pointed it out. His utterances will ultimately affect him and the NPP government, especially with elections around the corner on December 7. I’ll even go vote against them because of Napo”. Mill added.
As the election takes place in less than 24 hours, the question remains: will these controversial remarks sway voter power, or will they resonate differently day?
By: Ishmael Awudi | Dikan Fellow
