Tuesday 9th July, 2024, the day finally came for Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the running mate of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, to be formally presented to His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, at the historic Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.

The occasion was graced with beautiful ambience and the well known rich culture of the Ashanti’s with prominent dignitaries in the ruling New Patriotic Party all present.

During the ceremonial introduction, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo lauded the exceptional qualities of Dr. Bawumia and NAPO, expressing unwavering confidence in their ability to lead the NPP to victory in the upcoming 2024 general elections.

He particularly praised Dr. Bawumia for his significant contributions during his tenure, emphasizing his humility, dedication, and commitment to national progress.

“Otumfuo, Dr Bawumia decided to select from your own house, your grandson, NAPO who is the MP for Manhyia South and he’s also a minister, he’s the one Dr Bawumia introduced him to the national council, and they all unanimously agreed to be the running mate of Bawumia.

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, had strong words of caution for the vice-presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh (NAPO), when he was presented to him on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, of which some key ones selected out of the many.

• You are not arrogant, so don’t let what people say be true – Otumfuo to NAPO
• Vice President, Bawumia, saw the good work of Napo and appointed him as Running Mate – Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
• Matthew Opoku Prempeh [Napo] is my son and we trained him here. I even paid his school fees for him – Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
• Go and humble yourself to Bawumia – Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II advises NAPO.
• Don’t let Dr. Bawumia regret his decision – Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu advises Matthew Opoku Prempeh. 

The NAPO’s Persona Before His Official Introduction 

Having served as a minister of education and also holding the office of energy minister he might be in the known for his utterances and act of public speaking. But one thing that resonated not only from the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) but most of Ghanaians about him was his level of arrogance.

How long can the ordinary Ghanaian be taken for granted. Imagine an energy minister being asked about erractic power outage crises and the need for a time table released for load shedding so we can be on guard and In his response: The Minister of Energy, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, suggested that those asking for a timetable for the erratic power outages ongoing in the country should provide it themselves. Wow! Just like that. A public figure and a government official elected by the people? Speaking to Ghanaians and same people who put Him there?

All the odds were against Him now.

In an article published on Citinewsroom written by William Narh on 5th July, 2024 with headline:

Keep NAPO’s public speeches scripted- Political Historian warns NPP

A Political Historian from the Political Science Department at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Professor Samuel Adu Gyamfi, has advised the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to ensure that Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the party’s running mate, refrains from making unscripted public utterances and speeches.

According to Prof. Adu Gyamfi, this recommendation is due to NAPO’s strong personality, which may become overly apparent in public settings.

In an interview on Eyewitness News on Thursday, July 4, Prof. Adu Gyamfi emphasised that while Dr. Opoku Prempeh brings a wealth of experience to the Bawumia ticket, it is crucial for the party, especially his handlers, to ensure that he does not speak extemporaneously in public.

“I am of the view that in terms of public engagement when he is to deliver a speech or on a campaign platform, I will suggest that he does not speak extempore, and further, as I appeal, he should not speak off the cuff.

“I am of the view that the political handlers, marketers, and experts in speeches and those who are going to write those speeches for him must prepare him with a lower tone because he has a strong personality and charisma to be able to communicate with a party voice and in a way to also be quite humane.

“So, his speech should have a tone that is polite, respectful, cuts across, and has a certain soberness within the sphere,” he stated. https://citinewsroom.com/2024/07/keep-napos-public-speeches-scripted-political-historian-warns-npp/#google_vignette

Did all this not justify his arrogance?

NAPO’s First Speech During Outdooring 

First of all he might have forgotten that podium given to him was to speak to the whole of Ghanaians and not just NPP faithfuls gathered at Kumasi Jubilee Grounds. Or maybe the script writter wanted to him to prove to the many Ghanaians that he actually could do it without a script.

You had just one job!
Give an outstanding outdooring speech to whip up the NPP base, pique the interest of undecided voters and ultimately, sound like a man worthy of being called a statesman in the future and you messed it up big time! You could have praised Nana Addo without mentioning Kwame Nkrumah not to talk of even referring to him as ‘our Kwame Nkrumah’..what does ‘your Kwame Nkrumah’ mean? Sounds very divisive to me..Napo, you goof big time! There was nothing strategic about that speech.

Afrer this, ace journalist Kafui Dey took to X to ask a big question.

You are Kwame Nkrumah, what is your response?

Answers as quoted: with response of 500+

“That your kwame Nkrumah” .. this man should apologize for insulting the intelligence of Ghanaians and insulting Nkrumah legacy

“Whoever is coaching NAPO has got a big job to do. De loose talk be too much…asɛ he lacks basic home training bi saa no.”

“The arrogance and the impudence. Since I was born, I have not seen a worse administration than this NPP government, yet they are filled with pride and arrogance, ignoring the plight of Ghanaians.”

“This, to our jubilee house, can’t imagine. We’ll witness Kenya in Ghana within 6 months.”

“Kwame Nkrumah shaking in his grave. Only posterity will judge”

“God,
Oh Lord Almighty,
We beg you in the name of Jesus Christ, don’t let us witness this character in the Flagstaff House as the next Vice-President.
The combination of Bawumia and Napo would be a disaster”

“Kwame Nkrumah wouldn’t say anything. He will smile. The guy doesn’t know he is talking about. He can never get close to Nkrumah. Eeiii hating on Nkrumah even in his grave? Nkrumah lives forever”

“I think Asantehene will be the most disappointed soul in all of this. It’s only this afternoon that he told the world that he’s given him some advice indoors and now see arrogance of a speech. It’s pathetic these poeple want power.”

“Typical of most Ghanaians. They speak without reference to tangible facts, figures n comparative analysis to back their claim, while the media will not also ask them to provide evidence either. Everything is vibes n blind arguments, n u wonder where Ghana is currently.”

“Am really disappointed in manhyia. This guy has disgrace Otumfuo.”

Kwame Nkrumah’s once said “As far as i am concerned, i am in the knowledge that death can never extinguish the torch which i have lit in Ghana and Africa. Long after i am dead and gone, the light will continue to burn and be borne aloft, giving light and guidance to all people”