Napo’s Appointment as Running Mate Doesn’t Make Manhyia NPP- Otumfuo
Asantehene Otumfuo Osei has set the record straight about his relations with the governing party after a member of the royal family was selected as their Vice Presidential Candidate for the upcoming presidential election.
During a courtesy visit by the Vice Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Prof Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang to the Manhyia Palace on Friday, September 27, 2024, Otumfuo noted that the Palace is not aligned with any political party and is therefore open to all who intend to tap into his counsel and directions.
“The NPP {New Patriotic Party} has elected my grandson, Napo {Matthew Opoku Prempeh} as their Vice Presidential Candidate. That does not mean my house has been sold out to the NPP. You have equal access as the NPP.”
In his remarks, Otumfuo chided the NDC for keeping their distance from the Palace after going into opposition and delaying the introduction of Prof Opoku Agyeman.
“I asked myself: ‘Is the NDC at loggerheads with me after going into opposition?’ They no longer visit me. I heard Naana had been elected as the Running Mate but they had not come to introduce her to me. She was elected before the NPP elected Napo. They brought Napo but Naana wasn’t brought here so the last time John was here I questioned him about it and in Cape Coast, when I met Naana, I confronted her about it.”
Confidence
His Majesty, however, expressed confidence in her and expressed his admiration towards her humility and knowledge.
“I counsel her to continue in that humility. My blessings are all hers.”
Development
He noted that Ghana is not interested in which political party wins but who will be able to drive development across all sectors.
“All I want for my people is development and we all know good policies drive development and so propagate the policies you intend to use to drive development to try and convince the masses. You have a party support base already and they have faith in you but there are other floating voters who your messages are driven towards.
“John will need your support to get to these people with the message and he has confidence in you to do it. Whatever policy you think will help develop the country is what you must propagate to the public. Other parties are doing theirs too. Continue in that tangent and let Ghanaians decide who they want.”
Fair Election
Otumfuo further underscored the significance of a free, fair and transparent election to a peaceful election.
“Be honest so that peace reigns after the election. If that happens the loser will accept the results and so will the winner. Let’s unite and go into the elections.”
His Majesty affirmed that God is the kingmaker and he is resolute in his purpose.
“God makes king. If it’s not in the purpose of God for you to win an election, you will lose no matter what but if he makes you king then rest assured that it’s yours. In that regard, exercise patience and let peace reign.”
Introduction
A contingent of NDC executives and supporters paid a visit to the Palace in Kumasi to formally introduce Prof Opoku Agyemang as their Vice Presidential Candidate for the 2024 General Presidential election.
Among the delegation were former Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Samuel Sarpong, former Attorney-General, Betty Mould-Iddrisu, the Head of Running Mate Campaign, Alex Segbefia, Ashanti Regional Chairman, Nana Akwasi Andrews, other regional executives and regional parliamentary candidates.
In her address, Prof Opoku Agyemang apologized for her late turn-up and sought the blessings of the Asantehene.
“When I was chosen as the running mate prior to the 2020 elections, I came here and you gave me sound counsel and your blessings. I stand here today to thank you for that. This is the second time I have been selected by Mr Mahama and I come once again for your guidance, counsel and blessings so everything goes according to God’s plan.”
Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini
