The appointment of Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh as the running mate for Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has drawn sharp criticism from the Volta Regional Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Hon. James Gunu.
In a statement, Mr. Gunu described the selection of Matthew Opoku Prempeh, popularly known as NAPO, as a reward for his past controversial hate comments about the Volta Region, which he believes reflect a broader agenda of neglect by the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.
“The choice of NAPO as Bawumia’s running mate was an endorsement and reward for his anti-Volta Region comment,” Mr. Gunu asserted.
He also added that “the choice has confirmed our long-held view of the Nana Addo-Bawumia led NPP government’s deliberate neglect of the region to the extent of excluding our region from the national budget.”
According to Mr. Gunu, there is a deep-seated concern among residents about how the current administration has deliberately and systematically marginalized the Volta Region..
He expressed his fears that with NAPO’s new role in the governing party, the prospects for development in the Volta Region will further diminish.
He stated that in the very unlikely event that NAPO gets to be in charge of the economy, Volta Region won’t get any development.
This criticism comes amid an already charged political atmosphere as Ghana approaches its next general elections. The NPP’s decision to pair Bawumia with Prempeh is seen as a strategic move to consolidate their electoral base and appeal to a broader constituency. However, Gunu’s remarks indicate that the choice may deepen regional and partisan divides.
Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, a former Minister of Education and a prominent figure in the NPP, has been a contentious figure due to past statements and policies that have sparked debate and controversy.
His new role as Bawumia’s running mate is expected to be closely scrutinized as the election campaign progresses.
The NDC, under its leader John Dramani Mahama, has positioned itself as a champion of inclusivity and regional development, criticizing the NPP for what it perceives as inequitable governance.
Source: InsiderGH.com
