A Political Science Lecturer at the University of Ghana, Professor Ransford Van Gyampo has strongly criticized the New Patriotic Party’s Vice Presidential Candidate, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh for his disparaging comments about Ghana’s first president, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
Professor Gyampo, a renowned political scientist, in a scathing critique, emphasized the inappropriateness of Dr. Opoku Prempeh’s comments, noting that Dr. Nkrumah is an unparalleled leader in the history of Ghana and across the African continent..
“We all heard what Nana Opoku Agyemang said, and we also heard Napo speak. In my view, the dismissive description of Kwame Nkrumah, a global icon who has been described as the president of the whole century, was unnecessary condescension”.
Professor Ransford Vn Gyampo, Political Science Lecturer, University of Ghana
Tactful Political Communications
Professor Gyampo further highlighted the need for political figures to distinguish between being brutally frank and being tactful in their communications.
He warned that failing to make this distinction could result in a need for extensive damage control by party communicators, referencing the popular social media phrase, “They go explain Taya,” to underscore the potential repercussions.
The Professor elaborated that one can be assertive and honest without resorting to derogatory language, drawing an analogy to selling medicine or making altar calls at a church crusade in a simple community.
He stressed that the orientation and beliefs of the audience should guide the approach of public figures.
“Ultimately, the orientation and beliefs of the audience should guide the approach. I’m still wondering whether this aligns with the complementarity Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia seeks. Yes, his running mate may complement him in terms of hard work and forthrightness, but is the manner in which he expresses this forthrightness truly complementary? It can be both advantageous and disadvantageous, depending on where one finds himself”.
Professor Ransford Vn Gyampo, Political Science Lecturer, University of Ghana
Professor Gyampo also shared a personal anecdote to illustrate his point, recounting an incident from his time as a student in the United States, where a student openly called a professor “stupid.”
While such directness might be acceptable in some cultures, Professor Gyampo expressed concern over its inappropriateness in the Ghanaian context, adding that to them the remarks may be normal, however, in Africa, one cannot call a “professor stupid, nor speak to elders in such a manner”.
Concluding his statement, Professor Gyampo urged the New Patriotic Party Vice Presidential Candidate, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh to be mindful of the Ghanaian context in his communications to avoid creating unnecessary work for party communicators.
He cautioned that if in the unlikely event, the Manhyia South Member of Parliament failed to be mindful in his public commentary he would give the ruling party’s communicators a lot of work to do.
The New Patriotic Party Vice Presidential Candidate, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh during his address at his unveiling ceremony in Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional capital lauded President Akufo-Addo, claiming, “Not even Kwame Nkrumah developed Ghana like him”.
This statement has sparked significant controversy and has been met with criticism from various quarters, including Professor Gyampo.
In an earlier caution, a renowned and seasoned Freelance Investigative Journalist, Manasseh Azure Awuni called upon the New Patriotic Party Vice Presidential candidate for the upcoming general elections, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh to confront the persistent perception of arrogance that has been associated with his political career.
Drawing parallels to a past event, Mr Awuni warned against dismissing allegations of arrogance, citing instances where President Akufo-Addo’s perceived arrogance has manifested in both public and private actions, to the detriment of his public image.
He questioned why Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh is tagged as arrogant and while Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who has faced more vicious attacks from both NPP and NDC, is not, attributing it to Dr. Bawumia’s genuine humility and ability to connect with people, traits that Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh’s critics argue he lacks.
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