Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the Vice Presidential Candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has taken a strong stand against former President John Dramani Mahama, citing his tenure primarily as a period marked by the infamous power crisis known as “dumsor.” During a campaign event in Akyem Topremeng within the Akwatia Constituency, Dr. Opoku Prempeh, often referred to as NAPO, attributed the significant power outages to mismanagement and failed policies by Mahama’s National Democratic Congress (NDC) government. He asserted that the most notable aspect of Mahama’s legacy is the severe impact of these power shortages on the nation, emphasizing their destructive influence on businesses and households.
Elaborating on the implications of the “dumsor” crisis, NAPO detailed how various sectors of the economy struggled during Mahama’s presidency. Many businesses faced dire challenges, resulting in their closure due to the relentless and unpredictable power outages. According to Dr. Opoku Prempeh, it was only under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s leadership that these issues began to be effectively addressed, providing relief to an economically strained populace. His remarks highlight a stark contrast between the previous administration and the current one, with a focus on the NPP’s efforts to stabilize the country’s power supply.
Dr. Opoku Prempeh warned voters against repeating past mistakes by considering a return to Mahama and the NDC in the upcoming elections. He believes that Mahama has failed to learn from the pitfalls of his previous presidency, suggesting that allowing him back into power would result in a reversion to the same policies that led to hardship and instability. By echoing Mahama’s past failures, NAPO aims to galvanize public sentiment against the NDC while reinforcing the perceived effectiveness of the NPP.
In his critique, NAPO also mentioned that the campaign messages presented by Mahama indicate a lack of substantial change or innovation, reinforcing the notion that his leadership would replicate past failures. He pointed out that Mahama’s strategies and proposals appear to be remnants of a bygone era, thereby raising doubts regarding his ability to tackle contemporary issues effectively. This sentiment aligns with their broader narrative of progress versus stagnation, positioning the NPP as the party that can lead Ghana forward.
To contrast Mahama’s record with that of the NPP, Dr. Opoku Prempeh urged voters to support the party’s presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. He characterized Bawumia as a visionary leader, equipped with the qualities necessary to build on the foundations laid by the current administration. By framing Bawumia in this light, NAPO not only seeks to establish trust in the NPP’s future governance but also aims to paint a clear picture of continuity within their developmental agenda.
In conclusion, Dr. Opoku Prempeh’s remarks serve as a strategic attempt to consolidate the NPP’s standing ahead of the elections while discrediting the record of the former administration. His emphatic calls for voters to support both Bawumia and NPP parliamentary candidates are reflective of the party’s broader campaign strategy, which emphasizes achievements in power management and economic stability, seeking to align Ghanaians’ memories with a narrative of progress and hope for the future.
