The Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale North Constituency, Honorable Alhassan Suhuyini has expressed skepticism about the selection of Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh as the running mate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
The National Democratic Congress lawmaker, in a scathing critique, argued that the Manhyia South lawmaker’s nomination as the ruling party’s running mate for the upcoming general elections would not lead to any significant changes in the country’s current dire state.
“Clearly if you have a man suggesting that being a driver’s mate amounts to nothing then you wonder what the funfair is all about when it comes to choosing a driver’s mate… Judging by the Vice President’s words it amounts to nothing. He says that you are just a driver’s mate, and you don’t have any impact.”
Honorable Alhassan Suhuyini, MP Tamale North Constituenecy
The Tamale North Member of Parliament’s comments further highlighted a perceived futility in the governing New Patriotic Party’s choice of running mate, implying that the Energy Minister and former Education Minister’s nomination will not address the core issues plaguing the nation.
According to the Tamale North MP, the root problem lies in the ineffectiveness of Dr. Bawumia himself, a notion that renders any selection of a running mate inconsequential.
“Whoever partnered Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the result was going to be what we currently have. The fact that people are finding it very difficult to make ends meet, People are finding it very difficult to afford basic necessities in life, nothing is going to change because NAPO has been announced as the running mate to Dr. Bawumia”.
Honorable Alhassan Suhuyini, MP Tamale North Constituenecy
NAPO Urged to Refine Public Communication Skills
In an earlier candid piece of advice to Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Franklin Cudjoe, Founding President of the IMANI Centre for Policy and Education urged the newly announced running mate for NPP flagbearer Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to be more mindful of his public utterances.
Mr Cudjoe emphasized the critical role of effective communication and human relations, especially during challenging economic times.
Mr Cudjoe further highlighted the importance of NAPO’s communication, particularly in light of recent power challenges, underscoring the need for political figures to maintain a consistent and reassuring demeanor.
“He (NAPO) needs to work on his public utterances. He takes his job seriously, that I know, but human relations are very, very important. I mean how you come across, especially when we have had our backs against the wall in this economy supervised by Nana Addo…and we had power challenges. No matter how small it was or how brief it was. I think it was important that NAPO communicated properly”.
Franklin Cudjoe, Founding President of the IMANI Centre for Policy and Education
According to Mr Cudjoe, the Manhyia South lawmaker’s behavior on the political platform often differs from his professional persona, a discrepancy that could be detrimental to his role as a potential Vice President.
“When he is on the political platform, I think he is sort of a different [person] and I don’t think that is the sort of person we require of a gentleman who wants to run the office as a vice president”
Franklin Cudjoe, Founding President IMANI Centre for Policy and Education
Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the Minister of Energy was officially nominated as the Vice Presidential candidate for the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the upcoming 2024 general elections on July 4, 2024.
The Manhyia South Member of Parliament, Dr. Prempeh in an appreciation statement, expressed profound gratitude for the confidence reposed in him by the party’s flagbearer, and Vice President, His Excellency Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and the entire NPP leadership.
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