…And The King Blessed Napo

Strong emotions of pleasure and solemnity  enveloped the atmosphere when the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Monarch of the Ashanti Kingdom, while seated-in-state publicly land his right hand on the head of his  traditional grandson, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the Vice Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) as a sign of blessing and well-wish.

Dr. Opoku Prempeh knelt in reverence and awe before the King who continued to declare and invoke potent words on blessings on him and on his life.

This was after Napo had prayed the Asantehene to bless him and his boss, the NPP presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia, as they are both campaigning to retain political power for the NPP.

The historic incident happened during an ‘Akwasidae’ festival, which was organized by the Asante Monarch as part of his 25 years anniversary in London, the United Kingdom (UK), on Sunday, August 4.

Earlier on, Napo in his address, commended chiefs in Ghana for the significant roles and sacrifices that they have made to the success story of Ghana so far, adding that the NPP respects and adore the revered chiefs.

He explained that the NPP, especially his boss, Dr. Bawumia, is convinced chiefs and traditional authorities are the real owners of the country, therefore his (Napo’s) recent tour of the various palaces of chiefs in the country to seek their blessings.

According to Napo, the NPP would continue to adore and hold traditional leaders in the country in high esteem, stressing that the significant contributions of chiefs to national development should be appreciated.

The historic Akwasidae festival was attended by dignitaries such as former President John Agyekum Kufuor, Justin Kodua, NPP General Secretary, Henry Nana Boakye, NPP National Organizer and other personalities.

I TRAINED HIM WELL

Recently on July 9, 2024 when at a durbar of chiefs at the Manhyia Palace, Vice President Mahamadu Bawumia officially introduced Napo to the Asantehene as his running mate for the December 2024 polls on the ticket of the NPP,  it became clear that the King has an affection for and a personal liking for the running mate.

The Asantehene, at that durbar, revealed that he trained Dr. Opoku Prempeh in the Royal House and can personally bare testimony on good authority that he is not an arrogant person as some have started to tag him in recent times.

“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.

Otumfuo, on that occasion, 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”, Otumfuo added