Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh (NAPO), the vice presidential candidate for the NPP, has come under fire from veteran journalist Kwesi Pratt Jr. for calling Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president, “your Nkrumah.”
In a Metro TV interview, Mr. Pratt Jr. expressed his dismay at NAPO’s description of Dr. Nkrumah as “your Nkrumah” (or “mon Nkrumah” in Twi), calling it “distasteful and disrespectful.”
Pratt Jnr. was shocked because NAPO made these remarks shortly after the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, cautioned him against appearing arrogant.
“So, for NAPO yesterday to refer to Nkrumah as ‘your Nkrumah.’ A most derogatory reference – ‘your Nkrumah.’ What? I couldn’t believe it. Look at the person who is attempting to denigrate Nkrumah; unbelievable. You haven’t gotten anywhere.
“You’ve just been nominated as running mate. You haven’t reached anywhere and your claim to fame is that you implemented the Free SHS program. Go and look at the educational program initiated by Nkrumah. In three years, enrolment in secondary schools increased by about 10,000% during his time. Yet you can mount a platform and refer to him as ‘your Nkrumah.’ I mean, I was totally shocked,” he said.
He continued, “At that time, I reminded myself of the Asantehene’s advice to him, and his actions were directly opposite to what the Asantehene told him not to do. It was most troubling.”