Asantehene: Napo Not Arrogant, We Trained Him Well

The Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Monarch of the Ashanti Kingdom, has said Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, running mate to the flag-bearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the 2024 elections is not an arrogant person as some have started to tag him in recent times.

The King has revealed that he trained Dr. Opoku Prempeh in the Royal House and he can personally bare testimony on good authority against any clams of arrogance but the accused should himself do well to prove his critics wrong.

“Recently, some say you are arrogant. I responded that I trained you and I did not see such traits in you so what is making people tag you as arrogant now? What they are saying, I can defend you that you are not arrogant but do not prove them right.  God’s might should follow you.  Pray for the will and plans of God to come into reality for us”, Otumfuo Osei Tutu noted.

The Asantehene was speaking at a durbar of chiefs at the Manhyia Palace on Tuesday July 9 when Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh alias Napo was officially introduced to him as the running mate to partner Vice President Mahamadu Bawumia, flag-bearer of the NPP for the 2024 presidential elections.

Otumfuo noted further in the Twi language: “I have spoken to my son in private and advised him. Let me say it again to you; do not let Dr. Bawumia regret for nominating you. Don’t let him regret for nominating you. You and follow him in humility and loyalty and do as he says. I have told you these things in private. Chase it with humility and get it right for me. Listen to his guidance and do what he says.

“I have told Dr. Bawumia that I have put you in his hands. If there is any error, he should let me know and I would step in. I am thankful to the Ashanti Region Chairman. Wontumi for the unity he has shown. The rest are in God’s hands”, he added

The Asantehene added that by the grace of God and with prayers, Dr Opoku Prempeh will succeed with his boss; win the upcoming General Elections.

Dr Opoku Prempeh was later formally unveiled as running mate to Dr Bawumia at the Jubilee Park in Kumasi

Political rivals of the NPP have intensified allegations of arrogance and pomposity leveled against Napo especially after he was nominated and unanimously approved the NPP leadership as the running mate for the 2020 polls.

But a former National Secretary of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) Prof Samuel Bert Boadi Kusi has described Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the newly-confirmed vice presidential candidate of the NPP as one of the best ministers the country has ever had, asserting that even though he is outspoken and forthright, he is a fine, humble and competent gentleman.

He recalled that during his tenure as National Secretary of UTAG he got close to Dr Opoku Prempeh, then Minister of Education, and realized he was down-to-earth, had great interpersonal skills and a good sense of humour.

For him, Dr Opoku Prempeh is a compassionate, non-discriminating, charismatic visionary who gets things done.

“I have known and worked with Hon. Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh (Napo). I got close to him during my time as the National Secretary of UTAG. He is such a fine, humble and competent gentleman. If you get close to him, you will get to know that he is down to earth with a great sense of humor and has a very good interpersonal skill. He is a great manager, a visionary and a doer.  He is compassionate and does not discriminate.

During his reign as the Minister of Education, he had an excellent relationship with Unions and his charisma, always curbed intended strike actions. He speaks his mind and is forthright. He solves problems and he is a mentor. He is one of the best Ministers Ghana has had as a Minister of Education.

I have no doubt about his leadership qualities, and I wish him well as he begins to campaign for the 2024 Presidential elections as running mate,” Prof Boadi-Kusi stated.