NAPO did not mean to denigrate Dr Kwame Nkrumah with inaugural speech – Spokesperson

The Spokesperson for the running mate for the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Fiifi Boafo, has explained that the inaugural speech of the party’s running mate, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh did not mean to denigrate Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah in any way.

Instead, he said, Dr Opoku Prempeh’s message might not have come out well as expected.

In a radio interview on Joy FM on Wednesday afternoon [July 10, 2024], Fiifi Boafo said Dr Opoku Prempeh really appreciates the works of Dr Nkrumah and that his comparison was based on his own opinion and assessment.

For him, the NPP’s running mate, who is popularly known as ‘NAPO’ made the comment on a political platform and that might have caused the reaction the message has received among the public.

He, however, said NAPO will be guided going forward. 

Background 

There has been public reaction with some expressing discontent following the remark by NAPO on Tuesday.

He had compared President Akufo-Addo’s tenure to Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah.

For NAPO, no president in the history of Ghana has helped to develop the country more than President Akufo-Addo has done.

NAPO praised President Akuo-Addo’s contributions to Ghana’s development, drawing a comparison to the transformational leadership of Kwame Nkrumah.

He highlighted various projects initiated under Nana Addo’s administration, including the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy and infrastructural developments, suggesting that these achievements echo the pioneering spirit of Nkrumah’s era.

Speaking at his official unveiling event at the Jubilee Park in Kumasi on July 9, 2024, Dr Opoku Prempeh said: Since independence in 1957, no president has helped Ghana as much as Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. From 1957 to now, not even your Kwame Nkrumah has moved Ghana forward and protected it like Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

He disclosed that in the history of Ghana since 1957, no president has helped Ghana more than Nana Addo, even including the first President Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah, who fought for the independence of Ghana.

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