The Jomoro Youth Association at Nzema in the Western Region has said it is displeased with the apology given by the running mate to Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, regarding a comment he made about Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
The Manhyia South lawmaker, during his unveiling at the Jubilee Park in Kumasi Tuesday, July 09, 2024, indicated that none can be compared to President Akufo-Addo in terms of achievements, including Dr. Nkrumah, a comment he made in a tonation many have described as disrespectful and smacks of arrogance.
“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,” said Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, also known as Nana Poku (NAPO).
He stressed that, “President Akufo-Addo has developed this country to the admiration of all. Therefore, we will not allow what happened in 2008 to repeat itself. It will be most appropriate for Nana Akufo-Addo to hand over to his junior brother, Dr Bawumia.”
Although he was rebuked for the comments, he stood by his words and repeated same a day after. He received further criticisms until he issued an apology which many still deem insulting.
He said “the statement reflects my personal opinion about President Akufo-Addo’s impact relative to other Presidents we have had.
“I wish to emphasise that I never meant to disrespect our former President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah or any of our former heads of state, including my own grand uncle and mentor, Mr. John Agyekum Kufuor,” portions of the statement he issued Friday, July 12, 2024, read.
“I note the concerns raised after my statement. I apologise sincerely and regret any discomfort caused,” it added.
Reacting to the comments, the Jomoro Youth Association said in a Saturday, July 13, 2024 release that “the statement made by him (NAPO) was not only disrespectful but also deeply offensive.”
According to the Association, “the disgraceful spectacle of the new vice presidential nominee of the NPP and this government attempting in someway to compare the eight years of economic decline and hardship visited upon Ghanaians by this NPP government’s administration, to the exceptional leadership that Nkrumah provided to Ghana and Africa, is outside the bounds of reality.”
“To put it simply, Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh statement disrespects OSAGYEFO DR KWAME NKRUMAH and Ghana, typified by an erosion in human rights, diminished press, freedom, and arrogance and impunity of public officials with complete disrespect of citizens and traditional institutions,” added the statement.
The Youth Association therefore called on NAPO “to retract his statements and issue a public apology again, for we will not accept that he insults us anyhow”, urging “all political leaders to uphold the dignity and honor of our nation’s founders and to refrain from actions that undermine their legacy.”
Are you saying Nana Addo did better than your own granduncle, Kufuor? – Nana Yaa Jantuah asks NAPO
