If You Are Truthful, They Say You Are Disrespectful, But When You Lie, They Clap For You – Napo Defends Comments
Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) vice-presidential candidate, has stood firm on his assertion that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is the most successful leader in Ghana’s history. This statement, made on July 9 during his official introduction as the running mate to Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has provoked a wave of controversy and calls for an apology from various quarters of the political spectrum.
Dr. Prempeh, commonly known as Napo, emphasized that his praise for President Akufo-Addo’s developmental achievements is an undeniable truth. He insisted that no other president, including Ghana’s first president, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, has matched Akufo-Addo’s success. This claim has been met with significant public and political backlash, with many deeming the comparison disrespectful to Nkrumah’s legacy.
In his first public remarks following the uproar, Dr. Prempeh reiterated his stance during a visit to Tetrete Okuamoah Sekyim II, Omanhene of Wasa Amenfi Traditional Area, at Wassa Akropong in the Western North Region. He argued that contemporary Ghanaian politics often labels truth-tellers as disrespectful, while those who distort facts receive undue praise.
Reflecting on his inauguration, Napo expressed gratitude for the support and prayers from Tetrete Okuamoah Sekyim II, describing his visit to the traditional leader as a long-awaited, divinely orchestrated occasion.
Furthermore, Dr. Prempeh highlighted the importance of reintegrating chiefs into Ghanaian politics in a manner that respects their traditional authority and roles. He clarified that this call was not an invitation for chiefs to engage in partisan politics but rather a recognition of their essential contributions to national and local governance. Dr. Bawumia, he noted, shares the conviction that chiefs should be regarded as development partners working alongside political authorities.
During the visit, Dr. Prempeh also introduced Ernest Acheampong, the NPP parliamentary candidate for Wasa Amenfi, seeking the chief’s prayers and support for his candidacy.