Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s Convention People’s Party (CPP) has responded to comments made by Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the running mate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP). The CPP is calling for a retraction of Prempeh’s remarks about President Akufo-Addo surpassing the achievements of Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
During his unveiling at Jubilee Park in Kumasi on July 9, Dr. Opoku Prempeh claimed that no Ghanaian president, including Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, has done more for the country than President Akufo-Addo.
In the presence of NPP supporters, Prempeh stated, “I can boldly say that if the history of Ghana is told from 1957, we have never had a President that has helped Ghana more than Nana Akufo-Addo. I mean from 1957, even including your Kwame Nkrumah, none of them has protected Ghana and developed the country more than Nana Akufo-Addo.” He argued that Akufo-Addo has developed Ghana to the admiration of many and stressed that the NPP must avoid repeating the loss they experienced in 2008.
On the morning of July 9, 2024, Dr. Opoku Prempeh was formally introduced to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, at the Manhyia Palace. The Asantehene, who is also Prempeh’s uncle, advised him to avoid being perceived as arrogant and not to make Dr. Bawumia regret choosing him as a running mate.
Prempeh’s comparison, however, sparked controversy and was deemed unfortunate by many.
In response, the CPP issued a statement demanding, “The Convention People’s Party calls on the Honourable Minister, within 24 hours, to do the ‘Honourable’ thing for the sake of the country’s image, and immediately resign from all governmental and political positions, and issue an immediate apology and retraction.”
The CPP further urged President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to remove Prempeh from his position as Minister of Energy and called on Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to withdraw him as his vice-presidential candidate. The party warned that if these actions were not taken within 24 hours, Ghanaians and Nkrumaists worldwide would protest to express their displeasure.
The CPP concluded with a proverb, “one who puts on his armour should not boast like one who takes it off,” and cautioned the sitting government to heed the voice of the people to avoid a severe electoral defeat.