Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the running mate to Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in the 2024 elections, has openly acknowledged that some of his public utterances during the campaign season contributed to public dissatisfaction toward the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
In a reflective message shared on social media, Dr. Prempeh—popularly known as NAPO—revealed that he had discussed these concerns during a recent conversation with journalist Evans Mensah. He admitted that certain comments he made, which sparked widespread criticism, played a part in shaping negative perceptions of the party.
Among the most controversial of these remarks was his response, as Energy Minister, to concerns about load shedding, when he told Ghanaians to “create their own timetable” if they believed power outages were happening. Additionally, during his outdooring as running mate, he drew backlash when he urged Ghanaians to “take their Kwame Nkrumah” if they were displeased with historical comparisons he had made. Both statements triggered public outrage and were seen as dismissive and insensitive.
In his new statement, however, Dr. Prempeh struck a tone of humility and reconciliation.
According to him, leadership requires honesty—and that honesty begins with taking responsibility. He emphasized that every member of the NPP, from leaders to communicators and supporters, must be willing to self-reflect and acknowledge what they could have done better.
“That is the only way to rebuild trust, restore unity, and become a stronger Party and a stronger nation,” he wrote.
Dr. Prempeh described the months following the election defeat as a period of “deep reflection, learning, and growth.” He pledged to listen more, engage more, and contribute to a political culture that prioritizes service over ego, Ghana above self, and truth above convenience.
His remarks mark a significant shift from the combative tone that often characterized the campaign season. For many observers, this new posture could signal an effort to mend fractured relationships with the public and reposition himself within a rethinking and rebuilding NPP.
Whether this introspection will translate into broader party reform remains to be seen. But for now, Dr. Prempeh’s admission stands out as one of the clearest acknowledgements of responsibility from a key figure in the party’s 2024 campaign.
