John Mahama Slams Matthew Opoku Prempeh for Disrespecting Ghana’s Former Leaders

Former President John Mahama has expressed deep concern over remarks made by Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential running mate, regarding some of Ghana's former heads of state.

On July 9, 2024, during his unveiling as the running mate to the NPP flagbearer, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Dr. Prempeh made a controversial statement. He claimed that President Akufo-Addo had achieved more in terms of national development than any other president, including Ghana's first president, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. This statement, particularly how he referred to Dr. Nkrumah, was deemed disrespectful by many, forcing Dr. Prempeh to apologize subsequently.

However, even after a month of these comments circulating, the flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama, has publicly criticized Dr. Prempeh. During a community engagement in the Adaklu Constituency of the Volta Region, Mr. Mahama accused Dr. Prempeh of arrogance and condemned his remarks as uncalled for and disrespectful to the late president.

“He can't hide his arrogance. I was just watching the video yesterday, and he was talking about the past presidents. He mentioned Rawlings and Kufuor, but somehow he even forgot Professor Mills's name, referring to him as 'that one who died.' I mean, how can you talk like this? Very disrespectful, very insulting. Arrogance is like pregnancy. Whatever you do, it will come out,” Mr. Mahama stated.

The former president also pointed out that despite advice from the Asantehene, Dr. Prempeh continues to show disrespect towards past leaders.

“The running mate for NPP, when they went and introduced him to Otumfuo - Otumfuo said we brought you up because you are part of the Manhyia Palace, and we know we brought you up well, but we hear you are arrogant. We hope that you prove people wrong. As soon as he left there, not up to three hours, he went and said, ‘That your Kwame Nkrumah.’ That is a very disrespectful thing to say about the founder of this nation, and especially a founder who is no longer alive.

“You can insult me because I can respond because I am alive, but in our tradition, you don't say evil things about the dead. You don't disrespect the dead because they are not alive to respond to you,” Mr. Mahama added.

The comments have sparked a renewed debate about the respect and recognition accorded to Ghana's former leaders, with many supporting Mahama's condemnation of Dr. Prempeh's statements.