Prove them Wrong; Otumfuo on Napo’s “Arrogance”

The King of the Asante Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has expressed his bewilderment at commentaries suggesting Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the Running Mate of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia is arrogant.

Though party leaders of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have tried downplaying such comments, Otumfuo who played a pivotal role in his upbringing is not taking it kindly and has challenged him to prove them wrong.

Addressing the people who joined his meeting at the Manhyia Palace with officials of the NPP and government on July 9, 2024, His Majesty noted that he imbibed socially accepted manners in the Energy Minister as he was more of a father figure in his life.

“My son and grandson was my brother some time ago but since my enstoolment, he has been my grandson. I co-parented him as a father and brought him up together with his father. I was keen on his education and paid his school fees. He rose to become a doctor…During the era of President Kufour, he came to tell me he wanted to replace Hon Kwame Addo Kufuor when he was exiting as the Manhyia MP. I told him to seek the permission of his grandfather and he got the blessings to carry on.

“After the 2016 election, President Akufo-Addo himself came to me to inform me about his decision to appoint him the Education Minister. We all heard how he fared there. After the 2020 elections, he (President) told me he was moving him (Napo) to the Energy Ministry and replacing him with another grandson of mine. His hard work is what the President testified of and that was what the Vice President considered in choosing him as running mate.”

He furthered, “Some people are saying you are arrogant and I was wondering why they were saying that because you were brought up with socially accepted manners. Don’t let it be true.”

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo today introduced the NPP’s ticket for the 2024 Presidential Election to Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II at the Manhyia Palace.

He led a contingent made up of executives of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Ministers, Members of Parliament and party supporters to the Palace following the approval of Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh as the Running Mate of their flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

Among the delegation were the National Chairman of the party, Stephen Ayensu Ntim, the General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, the Chief of Staff of the President, Hon Akosua Fremah Opare and the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the party, Bernard Antwi Boasiako.