By Bubu Klinogo
Barring any last-minute change, the flag bearer of the NPP, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia will on Thursday, July 4, 2024 present the name of the Energy Minister and MP for Manhyia South, Dr. Mathew Opoku-Prempeh as his running mate.
Checks by GBC’s Political news desk reveal that Dr. Bawumia has concluded his nationwide consultations and has settled on NAPO.
The flag bearer consulted with key stakeholders including President Akufo Addo and the Majority Caucus in Parliament and they all seem enthused with the choice of the energy minister.
Bubu Klinogo of the Political news desk has been analyzing the suitability of Dr. Opoku-Prempeh.
Background
Dr. Mathew Opoku-Prempeh was born on 23rd May, 1960 in Ashanti New Town. He hails from Pakyi No 2. He had his education at KNUST Basic, Prempeh College and KNUST where he studied Human Biology and Medicine.
He also has a certificate in Leadership and Government from the Kennedy School of Government at the Harvard University. He first entered Parliament on 7th January, 2009 and has been in Parliament since. He served as Education Minister in the first term of President Akufo Addo and now serving as the Minister of Energy.
Strengths
Dr. Opoku-Prempeh stands tall by virtue of his position as an MP, serving for the fourth consecutive term. Having contested elections both at the party’s primaries and main elections, Dr. Opoku-Prempeh has enough experience about elections.
NAPO was the minister who implemented the major flagship program of the NPP government, the free SHS policy which has seen several hundreds of thousands of Ghanaians having access to secondary education. As the minister, he takes credit for all the successes of the program.
NAPO as energy minister is also credited for bringing some stability in the sector especially in his first three and a half years. Power is so critical to the economy and it is generally accepted that the power crisis between 2013 and 2016 contributed to the NDC’s monumental defeat in the 2016 election.
One other advantage of the Manhyia South MP is his youthfulness. The youths form the greater percentage of Ghana’s population and with his comparable youthfulness, he is expected to be able to connect with the youths easily.
As a Christian, Dr. Opoku-Prempeh also complements the flag bearer who is a Muslim. Unlike the NDC, which has won all its elections with a Christian – Christian ticket, the NPP was only able to win its elections which a Christian – Muslim combination, starting with Kufuor – Aliu Mahama and currently Akufo Addo – Bawumia.
Perhaps, the greatest consideration going into the choice of Dr. Opoku-Prempeh is his ethic background. Calls have been loud in the NPP that the running mate should come from its stronghold which is the Ashanti region. NAPO does not just fit that bill, he fits it perfectly by not only coming from the region but by coming from the heart of the region, and not only that but also coming from the Royal Family with links to the Golden Stool.
Weaknesses
Despite all his positive sides, one greatest low side for him is he coming across to critics as arrogant and rude. The NDC particularly has been hammering on this side ever since his name started coming up. He seemed to have confirmed that tag when in the heat of the erratic power supply he asked those calling for a load shedding timetable to compile their own time tables. To allay the fear of critics, Dr. Opoku-Prempeh was seen exhibiting a new trait by adopting the style of lying prostrate before chiefs and elders as well as the flag bearer of the party.
NAPO is also taking the flak for the challenges with the implementation of the free SHS policy. However, the main bashing is in relation with the recent power instability. Though the government refused to call it dumsor, majority of Ghanaians say it is dumsor.
His position as MP
As a sitting MP, when eventually announced as the running mate to the flag bearer, the NPP has two choices to make. The party may either want NAPO to resign as MP and concentrate on the presidential campaign or continue and combine the two roles. In 2004 when Prof. Mills chose then sitting MP for Kumbugu, Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni as his running mate, Alhaji Mumuni resigned paving the way for a by-election.
However, in 2006 when Prof. Mills nominated John Mahama, then sitting MP for Bole Bamboi, he did not resign. The dilemma facing the NPP currently is the quest to have the running mate fully focused on the campaign. The party cannot afford anything short of that, especially when the opinion polls are not favouring the party. However, NAPO’s resignation as MP will have great impact on the party and government in Parliament. With less than 6 months to the main election, there cannot be any by election to fill the vacancy if NAPO resigns and this will not be good for the government.
The NPP and the NDC have 137 seats at piece in the House with one independent MP siding with the NPP which makes the majority in the house. When NAPO resigns, that brings the number to equa which will make it almost impossible for the government to get any bill or policies, including a budget and ministerial nominees, approved by the house for as long as the NDC is opposed to it. The way out may be to allow NAPO continue as MP, but focused on the campaign and recall to Parliament as and when there is a vote on a critical issue.
Whether Bawumia- Opoku-Prempeh ticket will be able to do the unprecedented by breaking the 8, winning a third consecutive presidential election, time will tell. The polls so far have put the NDC and its flag bearer, John Mahama in the lead.
