Akbar Yussif Khomeini, a member of the Bawumia campaign team, has stated that the reception the NPP received in the Ashanti Region during the unveiling of Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh as running mate on July 9th, 2024, was excellent.
He stated that it exceeded the expectations of the NPP leadership, noting that the Chiefs and leaders of the Ashanti Region are thrilled to see another politician from the region on the NPP’s Presidential ticket, a feat last achieved during the Kuffuor era.
“There’s no doubt that the Ashanti Region is the citadel of the NPP politics in our country. Since our return to multi-party democracy in 1992, it [NPP] produced one of the best Presidents of this Fourth Republic in the person of John Agyekum Kuffuor. When Akufo-Addo took over the leadership of the party in 2008, the Ashanti Region has been off the presidential ticket since then”.
Akbar Yussif Khomeini
Khomeini pointed out that Dr. Bawumia chose Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh from the Ashanti Region as his running mate, largely in response to the current political landscape and prevailing conditions in the country.
He stated that the Ashanti Region is thrilled about NAPO’s selection, noting that they have been familiar with NAPO in the region’s politics for a while now, having seen him serve as a member of parliament for four terms.
Khomeini noted that NAPO’s achievements in parliament have been remarkable, emphasizing that the NPP running mate is one of the most effective members of parliament in the country.
He defended Prempeh’s remarks at the unveiling, stating that the running mate performed exceptionally well in highlighting the achievements of the ruling government and President Akufo-Addo.
Khomeini stated that he firmly believes Akufo-Addo is the best President Ghana has had, pointing out that President Akufo-Addo has invested more in education than any other Ghanaian President since the country gained independence in 1957.
“If you take TVET alone, Akufo-Addo has invested GH₵ 6.7 billion in making TVET effective and it’s the highest in our nation since 1957”. – Akbar Yussif Khomeini
Akufo-Addo Gov’t Achievements Lauded
Furthermore, Akbar Yussif Khomeini further indicated that the largest social intervention, the Free SHS program, was implemented under the Akufo-Addo government, which has invested over GH₵ 15 billion in this initiative.

He lauded the current administration for its outstanding achievement in significantly expanding the country’s road network, transforming the nation’s infrastructure and facilitating easier travel and commerce.
“And so if you look at the various sectors of our national development, when you come to health, the biggest single investment happening in the health sector, is under AKUFO-Addo under the agenda 111. So one assesses the facts dispassionately and mind you NAPO was very clear. He [NAPO] said in terms of development, investment in infrastructure, and the overall wellbeing of our citizens, in his opinion, Akufo-Addo is the best since 1957”.
Akbar Yussif Khomeini
Khomeini affirmed that the party fully supports NAPO’s statement, emphasizing that the NPP takes great pride in its impressive achievements and accomplishments while in government.
He declared that the NPP’s achievements in government are unequivocally unmatched, leaving no room for doubt about their exceptional performance.
As such, Khomeini challenged critics of NAPO to demonstrate how Kwame Nkrumah’s achievements in road development and education surpass those of any other president.
“No president has invested in these critical areas more than President Akufo-Addo, it’s up to opponents to show that in every facet of national life, their Presidents have invested more resources in improving our living conditions than Akufo-Addo has done”.
Akbar Yussif Khomeini
He encouraged Ghanaians to look at the bigger picture and not get bogged down in the supposed comparison between Akufo-Addo and Nkrumah, but rather consider the overall substance of NAPO’s statement.
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