Dr. Kwame Asiedu Sarpong, a fellow with the Center for Democratic Development CDD-GHANA, has indicated that it will be in the interest of the New Patriotic Party to immediately begin engaging all factions and notable personalities who are aggrieved with the choice of Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh as the party’s Vice Presidential candidate.
Flagbearer of the NPP, Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has successfully presented the Energy Minister and Member of Parliament for Manhyia South Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh to the President Nana Akufo Addo and the National Executives of the NPP as his preferred running mate for the December 2024 presidential election.
Even before the party’s National Council will give their accent per the constitution of the NPP, stalwarts including the MP for Asante Akim South Andy Appiah Kubi, and a section of grassroots support groups have expressed their displeasure with the decision.
The aggrieved members argue that NAPO as he is affectionately called has stepped on several toes with his public utterances, and carries a baggage of perceived arrogance that will not endear him to the masses whose votes the NPP badly needs to deliver the party’s ‘breaking the eight agenda’.
Speaking in an interview with Abusua FM’s Kojo Marfo on Bresosem; Dr Sarpong insisted that taking early steps to mend the cracks is crucial if the party hopes to make a significant impact in the upcoming General Election which is just around the corner.
Dr Sarpong argued that the matters are Germaine especially when the concerns raised by the Hon. Appiah Kubi and the other groups like the Patriotic Movement for Bawumia appear legitimate and backed with evidence.
The CDD Ghana Fellow drew parallels between the current sentiments and the 2020 Fomena rally where Dr Opoku Prempeh’s actions allegedly caused divisions within the party.
He recounted, “Appiah Kubi’s remarks made me remember the 2020 rally of the NPP in the Fomena constituency. NAPO completely destroyed the NPP’s breakaway independent candidate Andrew Asiamah who eventually won his seat and later became parliament’s 2nd Deputy Speaker.”
He cautioned that if Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the party’s potential running mate, takes the criticism too personal; it may hinder his ability to contribute meaningfully to the Dr Bawumia ticket.
He cautioned, “I believe something is wrong, but I can only advise that NAPO should not take Appiah Kubi’s statements personally, he should make sure issues are resolved because, without the unity in Ashanti Region, he will add very little to the ticket”.
Dr Asiedu Sarpong also found it baffling how the Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh had not made any efforts to heal the wounds several years after they were incurred.
He wondered, “Does that mean from that time in 2020 to 2024 NAPO hasn’t been able to heal the wounds between the likes of Appiah Kubi and the Fomena MP?”
Dr Sarpong however acknowledged that Dr Opoku Prempeh’s professional background could complement Dr Bawumia’s with cognizance that their approaches towards politics differed significantly.
“There are areas you can say NAPO can complement Dr Bawumia. He has done student politics so he understands how to rally the youth. He’s a medical person, so he will probably understand health much more than Bawumia would. He has run Education and Energy so maybe he will bring that experience there, so if you look at their professional merger yes they may complement each other,” he asserted.
“But if you look at their political standpoint and how they conduct their politics, the jury is different. No one is sure there is something to add. But overall, it will depend on how NAPO kick starts the work if he officially joins the campaign as a running mate and the progress”, he explained.
He recommended that considering the limited time frame of five months to elections, the party allows him space to immerse himself in the campaign.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Kwadwo Owusu
