Western Region youth reject Napo’s apology over controversial comments comparing Nkrumah and Akufo-Addo

The Concerned Youth of the Western Region have dismissed the apology issued by Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, popularly known as NAPO, following his contentious remarks comparing the achievements of Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah, to those of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

Dr. Opoku Prempeh, recently unveiled as the running mate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Kumasi, sparked controversy when he claimed that no president, including Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, has developed Ghana like President Akufo-Addo has since taking office in 2017.

“Since independence from 1957 till today, we have not had any president that has helped Ghana like Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. I say from 1957 till today, you can bring your Kwame Nkrumah… no president who has protected Ghana and moved the country forward like Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo,” NAPO declared to a cheering crowd.

The statement drew widespread condemnation, prompting NAPO to issue an official apology on July 12.

However, during a press conference in Takoradi on Friday, Professor Boakye Yiadom, a member of the Concerned Youth of Western Region, stated that the apology was insufficient and has been wholly rejected.

“The Youth of the Western Region have just seen the apology from Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh. By reading the apology, I realized that he indicated that it is his own opinion and that is what we, the youth of the Western Region, reject completely,” Professor Yiadom said.

He further argued that NAPO’s comments were not merely personal opinions but carried significant weight due to his position and the context in which they were made.

“It is not his opinion, and we must consider where he stood to make these comments and his position as the running mate for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. Where he stood to say those things were not normal. The information he communicated has sunk into people’s ears, and we reject this kind of apology.”

Professor Yiadom also emphasized that such remarks reflect deeper issues within NAPO’s mindset and his associates, stating, “This has always been in his [NAPO] DNA and his group. We will not accept that he insults us anyhow. We call on him to tone down and come and apologize unreservedly.”

The Concerned Youth of the Western Region’s rejection of NAPO’s apology underscores the sensitivity surrounding the legacy of Kwame Nkrumah and the ongoing political discourse in Ghana.

As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how NAPO and the NPP will address these concerns to foster unity and understanding.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith