Come Here And Apologize Properly – Nzema Chiefs Tell Napo
The chiefs and people of Nkroful in the Western Region have called on Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the running mate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), to personally apologize to the traditional leaders and family of Ghana’s first president, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, in Nzema.
The demand follows comments made by Dr. Prempeh in Kumasi, where he suggested that not even Dr. Nkrumah achieved anything close to what President Akufo-Addo has done. These remarks sparked widespread outrage and public disaffection, with many viewing them as an affront to Ghana’s democracy and unity. Despite issuing a public apology last Friday, the chiefs and people of Nkroful consider it insufficient.
The Chiefs of Nkroful, represented by Nana Kwasi Kutuah V, addressed the media on Sunday, July 14, expressing their discontent. “We think that Dr. Prempeh was not forthright with Ghanaians when he alluded to the fact that he didn’t mean to insult Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. We have also learned that he has apologized to the good people of Ghana, and you know past presidents of Ghana. We want to demand that Dr. Prempeh, running mate of NPP should come to Nkroful to come and meet nananom and the family of Kwame Nkrumah and make a formal apology to us,” he stated.
The call for a more sincere apology was echoed by the concerned youth of the Western Region, who on Friday, July 12, urged the traditional leaders to ban Dr. Prempeh from their palaces until a proper apology is rendered. They argue that his comments on July 9 undermined, denigrated, and humiliated their icon, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
In response, the District Chief Executive and NPP Parliamentary candidate for the Ellembelle Constituency, Kwasi Bonzo, announced that plans are already in motion for Dr. Prempeh to visit Nzema to apologize. “I have spoken to him personally in my capacity as Ellembele DCE and he has assured me that even after his national apology, all politics is local. He says he’s coming home, Kwame Nkrumah’s hometown, to meet the chiefs and the elders in the shortest possible time to render an unqualified apology, so that we can all move on as a people. So, we are working on fixing the date for him to render the apology. It had been agreed even before this press conference,” Bonzo revealed.
The incident has highlighted the sensitivity surrounding the legacy of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and the importance of respectful political discourse in maintaining peace and unity in Ghana. The chiefs and people of Nkroful hope that Dr. Prempeh’s visit and personal apology will help to mend the rift and foster a spirit of reconciliation and development.