Kwesi Pratt Jnr and Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh (NAPO)
Veteran journalist Kwesi Pratt Jnr has criticized the vice-presidential candidate of the NPP, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh (NAPO), for referring to Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, as "your Nkrumah".
Speaking during a panel discussion on the Good Morning Ghana program on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, Pratt Jnr. expressed his shock by NAPO’s reference to Dr. Nkrumah as "your Nkrumah" – "mon Nkrumah" in Twi - which he said was distasteful and disrespectful.
He indicated that what is even more shocking is that the remarks by the NPP vice-presidential candidate were made right after the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, cautioned him not to prove to people that he is an arrogant person.
"So, for NAPO yesterday to refer to Nkrumah as 'your Nkrumah'. A most derogatory reference - 'your Nkrumah'. What? I couldn't believe it. Look at the person who is attempting to denigrate Nkrumah. Unbelievable. You haven't gotten anywhere.
"You've just been nominated as running mate. You haven't reached anywhere. And your claim to fame is that you implemented the Free SHS program. Go and look at the educational program which was initiated by Nkrumah. In three years, enrolment into secondary schools went up about 10,000% during his time. And yet you can mount a platform and refer to him as 'your Nkrumah'. I mean, I was totally shocked," he said.
He continued, "Now, at that time I went back and I reminded myself of the advice that the Asantehene had given him and his actions were directly opposite of what the Asantehene told him not to do. It was most troubling."
What NAPO said:
Addressing a gathering of party bigwigs and supporters on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, for his official unveiling in Kumasi, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh emphasized that not even Ghana's first president, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, comes close to President Akufo-Addo when it comes to spearheading development in the country's history.
"It has never happened in the history of Ghana. If President Akufo-Addo retires, I can hit my chest and state that since the nation's inception in 1957, there has not been a president who has helped the state more than Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
"I am saying that from 1957 to now, whether you pick 'your' Kwame Nkrumah... there is nobody who has led Ghana and protected the country or developed Ghana more than Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo," he stated.
Watch Kwesi Pratt Jnr's remarks in the video below:
Credit: ghanaweb.com
