John Dramani Mahama, flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress, has said the arrogance of Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, who is also known as NAPO, is something that cannot be hidden.
Like a pregnancy which cannot hide from protruding, John Mahama says Dr. Opoku Prempeh’s arrogance was bound to be evident for all to see.
John Mahama, speaking to residents of Peki as part of his tour to the Volta Region Thursday, August 15, 2024, criticised the former minister for certain comments from his outfit that shows disrespect to former leaders of the State.
The comments come in the wake of a recent description given by the former Energy Minister to the late former President, John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills.
“And he can’t hide the arrogance. I was just watching a video yesterday, he was talking about past presidents he said Rawlings, and he said Kufuor and somehow he even forgot Prof. Mills’ name and said ‘baako no a w’awu no’ (that one who died). I mean, how can you talk like that? Very disrespectful, very insulting. Arrogance is like pregnancy, whatever you do, it will come out,” he stated.
John Mahama continued that it is the same arrogance posture of the Member of Parliament for Manhyia South that made him disregard an advice from the Asantehene few hours after leaving his presence to go and disrespect Ghana’s founder and first President.
“Today, the running mate for NPP, when they went and introduced him to Otumfuo, Otumfuo said we brought you up as you are part of the Manhyia Palace but we know we brought you up well but we hear that you are arrogant, we hope that you prove people wrong.
“As soon as he left there, not up to 3 hours, he went and said, ‘Mo Kwame Nkrumah no’ that your Kwame Nkrumah, that is a very disrespectful thing to say about the founder of this nation, especially a founder who is no longer alive,” he stated.
John Mahama added that “you can insult me because I can respond because I’m alive. But in our tradition you don’t disrespect the dead because they are not alive to respond to you. In the past ghosts were powerful. As he said that Nkrumah’s ghost would have knocked him down. But now, ghosts have all become disarmed.”
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.
