The NDC’s Deputy General Secretary, Mustapha Gbande, has stated that while the Bawumia-Prempeh ticket may appeal to the NPP’s base, the crucial question is whether it resonates with the broader electorate and the aspirations of the majority of Ghanaians.
He emphasized that to determine if the Bawumia-Prempeh ticket resonates with Ghanaians, their past performances and achievements in government must be scrutinized, asking what tangible impact they have made in their respective roles.
“I have spoken about this before. There’s nothing like a younger ticket. It is a perfect pair for the NPP to have both Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and Dr. Matthew Opoku as flagbearer and running mate, respectively. The role of governance and government is to intervene in the lives of people so that life becomes bearable for everyone”.
“They have been in power for more than seven years as Vice President and Minister for Energy and Education. The question is, have they been able to solve the immediate challenges and expectations of Ghanaians when they had these opportunities?”
Mustapha Gbande
Gbande added that contrary to claims of human relations issues, the reality is that Matthew Opoku Prempeh simply struggles with effective communication and public speaking, highlighting his inability to articulate his thoughts and connect with people through his words.
He stated that Prempeh’s perceived arrogance is actually a lack of interpersonal skills, saying he is not equipped with the charm needed to build connections and bring people together, describing him as “short-circuited” in his ability to relate to others.
“He is intolerant and he is not guided in terms of what he says and what he does”. – Mustapha Gbande
Gbande argued that despite the NPP touting Free SHS as a flagship achievement of Opoku Prempeh, the reality is that his legacy is marred by the program’s subpar quality and the recent power outages, leaving him with little to boast about except for a flawed education scheme and a resurgence of Dumsor.
He emphasized that currently, there is widespread discontent among students, parents, and teachers regarding the substandard execution of the Free SHS program.
“Research platforms have indicated that indeed in spite of the fact that we have Free SHS, it is very clear that the government pays a little and parents pay more”. – Mustapha Gbande
Gbande Slams Prempeh’s Energy Ministry Tenure
Additionally, Mustapha Gbande criticized Prempeh’s tenure as Energy Minister, pointing out his dismal performance, marked by skyrocketing fuel prices and increased costs of other petroleum products, which have disproportionately burdened Ghanaians.
He highlighted that Prempeh, despite still holding the position of Energy Minister, has neglected his duties and failed to address the persistent energy crises in the country, abdicating his responsibility to provide solutions to the problem.
Gbande urged the Manhyia Palace to distance itself from the NPP’s attempts to exploit the royal family’s influence for political gain, warning against the politicization of the monarchy to sway votes.
“Look, NAPO [Matthew Opoku Prempeh] is a royal, theirs is no two ways about it. My worry is that the Manhyia Palace has been one that all of us revere and respect so much. This is not about Asantes, it is about NPP in the Ashanti Region”.
“So, therefore, under this dispensation, I will be very worried that…when the King begins to run to political doorstep, he will be labeled as a politician. Not all Asantes are happy with the performance of the NPP”.
Mustapha Gbande
Gbande also conceded that while Dr. Bawumia is a humble individual, he, like Prempeh, has failed to provide Ghanaians with genuine and effective leadership, falling short of the sincere and impactful governance the country needs.
“He [Bawumia] hasn’t demonstrated sincerity in terms of what the economy has become”. – Mustapha Gbande
He stated that while Opoku Prempeh may bring some value to the NPP as a party, he has no redeeming qualities or meaningful contributions to make as a Vice President that would benefit the Ghanaian people.
Gbande appealed to Ghanaians to be conscious of the kind of future they want for their children and to carefully consider the type of leadership that will genuinely address the pressing issues affecting the nation and its citizens.
“The NPP as it stands today is not an option, it is not an option at all”. – Mustapha Gbande
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