Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has told the running mate to the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, to act in ways that will give credence to claims that he is arrogant.
The Asantehene said he has never known Opoku Prempeh, a royal, as arrogant while growing up but the onus now lies on the Manhyia South Lawmaker to work to dispel that assertion.
“They say you are arrogant, don’t let what they say be the reality,” the Asantehene said when President Akufo-Addo introduced the Bawumia-Opoku Prempeh ticket to him at Mahyia Palace on Tuesday, July 9.
The Asantehene Otumfuo further told Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh to follow the instructions of his boss at all times.
He advised Dr Opoku Prempeh to support his boss to ensure that Dr Bawumia does not regret choosing him as his running mate.
“I have watched Opoku Prempeh grow,” the Asantehene said, He added, “Don’t let Bawumia regret choosing you, follow him with humility.”
He further urged Dr Bawumai to inform him whenever Dr. Opoku Prempeh does not behave well as a rider to correct him.
“Whatever mistake comes, let me know so I can correct him,” he said.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, for his part, expressed confidence in the ability of the Bawumia-Opoku Prempeh ticket to deliver on the job to the expectations of Ghanaians.
Unveiling the flagbearers of the NPP and the running mate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, at the Manhyia Palace on Tuesday, July 9, Mr Akufo-Addo said he has worked with the two gentlemen and can therefore vouch for their hard work qualities.
“I have trust and confidence in the two of them to do the work. I have worked with the two, and I know that they can do it. I know that on the 7th of December when Ghanaians have given them the mandate, they will work to meet the expectations of Ghana,” President Akufo-Addo said.
The National Council of the NPP unanimously endorsed the selection of Dr Opku Prempeh at an emergency meeting in Accra last Thursday, July 4.
Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, after the event, assured members and supporters of the NPP that he would help Dr. Bawumia prosecute a formidable 2024 campaign to break the 8-year election cycle.
He says he understands that the task ahead requires collective effort. He further called upon all members of the NPP to join hands to collectively strive to achieve their ‘ambitious goal of transforming Ghana into a prosperous nation’.
“I express my gratitude to the National Council, the rank-and-file of our party, and our esteemed President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, for their unwavering support and faith in me,” he said in a statement immediately after the National Council of the NPP unanimously endorsed him as the running mate on Thursday, July 3.