Former President John Dramani Mahama has strongly criticized Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the running mate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the forthcoming presidential election, for his comments regarding some of Ghana’s previous leaders.
On July 9, 2024, during his introduction as the running mate to NPP’s flagbearer, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Dr. Opoku Prempeh asserted that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s developmental achievements outshine those of all previous presidents, including Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president.
These remarks, particularly Dr. Opoku Prempeh’s reference to Dr. Nkrumah led to widespread outrage, with many interpreting them as disrespectful and condescending. The backlash ultimately prompted Dr. Opoku Prempeh to issue an apology.
A month after these statements were made, John Mahama, the presidential candidate for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), condemned Dr. Opoku Prempeh for what he termed as arrogance.
Speaking at a community engagement in the Adaklu Constituency of the Volta Region, Mahama criticized Dr. Opoku Prempeh’s comments.
“He can’t conceal his arrogance. I watched the video yesterday, and he was discussing past presidents. He mentioned Rawlings and Kufuor, but somehow forgot Professor Mills’s name, referring to him as ‘that one who died.’ How can you speak like this? It’s very disrespectful and insulting. Arrogance is like pregnancy; no matter what you do, it will reveal itself,” Mahama remarked.
He further highlighted that despite advice from the Asantehene, Dr. Opoku Prempeh continues to show a lack of respect for former leaders.
“When he was introduced to Otumfuo, the Asantehene remarked, ‘We raised you well, but we hear you are arrogant. We hope you prove people wrong.’ Yet, just three hours later, he referred to Kwame Nkrumah as ‘that your Kwame Nkrumah.’ This is extremely disrespectful, especially toward a founding father who is no longer alive,” Mahama added.
The former president emphasized the significance of respecting the legacy of deceased leaders, stating, “You can insult me because I can respond, but in our tradition, you don’t speak ill of the dead. You don’t disrespect the dead because they can not defend themselves.”
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Mary Asantewaa Buabeng
