The Energy Minister and Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh has once again received endorsement from another youth-based group in the New Patriotic Party known as ‘Grassroots for NAPO’ calling for the party to consider him as its vice presidential candidate for the 2024 general elections.
In a press conference on Monday, December 11 2023, the group outlined five important reasons it considers to make the Manhyia South lawmaker of the New Patriotic Party ideal candidate for the role of Vice Presidential Candidate going into the 2024 general elections.
According to the group, its further engagement and consultation with the rank and files of the New Patriotic Party across the country affirm its position for the party to choose Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh as the running mate to the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.
“We thank you for accepting our invitation at such short notice and welcome you all to our press conference. We have invited you here to formally convey the Grassroots for NAPO stance on who should be selected as Vice Presidential candidate to partner with Dr Mahamadu Bawumia going into the 2024 elections.
“It is our firm belief that a candidate for the high office of the Vice president should have overwhelming support from the rank and file of the party and gain massive endorsement from the teaming Youth of the country. We have engaged party folks from different parts of the country and the only name that kept resonating like tidal waves is no other person than Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh (aka NAPO)”
Grassroots for NAPO
Group Makes A Case For NAPO As NPP Running Mate
The group further argued that the Ashanti Region which is the home region of the Energy Minister and has become the voter bank of the New Patriotic Party in the various successive general elections in the country makes the Energy Minister deserving of the running mate position.
According to the ‘Grassroots for NAPO’ based on the Ashanti Region’s contribution to the New Patriotic Party fortunes in election in the country, it is therefore non-negotiable for the party to choose its Vice Presidential candidate from the region to rally the region behind the party strongly going into the 2024 general election.
The group also recounted that Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s significant votes in the Manhyia South Constituency in the New Patriotic Party November 4, 2023, National Delegates Congress which represents his highest vote among the various constituencies in the Ashanti Region demonstrates the strong faith of the people of Manhyia South in Dr Bawumia to become the next president of Ghana.
The group thus emphasized that such a significant milestone was achieved mainly due to the good work, influence and goodwill of Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh, hence it is only appropriate that the party rewards the Manhyia South legislator for the running mate position.
“Ashanti Region as NPP Stronghold: No one can underestimate the influence and role Ashanti Region plays in garnering votes for the NPP in any major election. In the 2020 general election, President Akufo Addo garnered 1,793,629 votes representing 72.8% of the valid votes cast while his contender Mahama garnered 652,962 votes representing 25.5% of the valid votes cast.
“It is interesting to note that, Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia made a giant leap in Manhyia South Constituency in the just-ended presidential primaries of the NPP. Dr. Bawumia had 478 votes representing 85.5% of the valid votes cast. His closest contender, Hon. Kennedy Agyapong had 77 votes representing 13.8% of the valid votes cast”.
Grassroots for NAPO
Moreover, they reiterated that Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh’s sterling achievements in public office particularly as the Minister of Education and subsequently as the Minister of Energy make him deserving of the running mate role of the New Patriotic Party.
According to the group, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh in his two capacities as the Minister of State under President Akufo-Addo’s administration ensured the successful implementation of major government flagship projects including the government’s flagship program, the Free Senior High School Policy.
“As you can recollect, this major initiative was pooh-poohed by our political opponents as bait to hook-wing and cajole Ghanaian voters. That notwithstanding, Dr Mathew Opoku Prempeh was able to oversee the implementation of the free SHS policy amidst stiff opposition and wild propaganda by detractors of the government. NAPO remained firm, confident and bold in decision-making throughout the initial implementation stages of this complex policy initiative.
“In his capacity as Energy Minister, Dr Prempeh has guided players in the energy industry through significant transformational vision areas such as maintaining the nation’s electrical supply and enabling the constant supply of petroleum products at reasonable costs. In addition, Dr Prempeh oversaw the creation of Ghana’s energy transition framework, which offers a precise roadmap for the country’s fair and reasonable transition. It will be remembered that in 2022, the Africa Public Sector Conference and Awards recognized Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh as the Best Minister”.
Grassroots for NAPO
In addition, the group touted Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh’s great commitment and support to the activities of the New Patriotic Party, his good relationship with the members of the party particularly the youth and his understanding of the rudiment of parliamentary practice in the country as qualities that makes him deserving of the party’s Vice Presidential candidate for the 2024 general elections.
“In light of the foregoing, we the grassroots made up of polling station executives, constituency executives, TESCON and party members unanimously endorse Dr Mathew Opoku Prempeh as a preferred candidate to partner with Dr Bawumia in the 2024 General Elections. We therefore appeal to the leadership of the party and HE. Dr Mahamadu Bawumia to consider appointing Dr Mathew Opoku Prempeh as the Vice-presidential candidate of NPP for the 2024 elections”.
Grassroots for NAPO
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