Okuapemhene, Oseadeeyo Kwasi Akuffo III has the humility of Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh has urged Ghanaians to vote in droves for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the upcoming general elections. This will allow the strong foundation laid by the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration to continue in the Bawumia/Napo era.
According to him, the decision of the NPP candidate and running mate to seek the blessings and guidance of traditional and religious leaders before commencing their political campaigns is a sign of humility and respect for their traditions and religion. “Given your background as a member of the royal family, I know you are humble. All we expect from you is to be honest and open in all your dealings. “If you take on the role of Dr. Bawumia, you must also be his partner and do all the work necessary for his success,” he stated.
He explained that Okuapem Royal (President Akufo-Addo) has achieved so much that it was only a matter of time before Ghanaians would notice these many scattered achievements.
He therefore tasked the running mate and his team to make these achievements known so that Ghanaians would vote in large numbers for the NPP in the next elections.
Oseadeeyo Kwasi Akuffo III stated that Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh paid him a courtesy visit at his Akropong residence on Thursday, July 25, 2024.
The traditional leader further stated that Dr. Bawumia led. The initiative supported by Prempeh to include chiefdom and religious leadership in the country’s development agenda is commendable.
Okuapemhene reiterated his assertion, saying Dr. Prempeh’s recognition of the role of traditional rulers in the struggle for independence and in establishing the traditions of UP clearly demonstrated the respect and dignity Ghanaians want to show to chiefs and religious bodies as they give them the mandate to continue their good work.
He congratulated Dr. Prempeh on his promotion to the NPP’s running mate, explaining that it is not easy to achieve such a milestone. “You have been selected to be Dr. Bawumia’s partner because of your hard work for the party and the country. Bawumia and I are confident that you will deliver,” he said.
He challenged Dr. Prempeh, known in political circles as Napo, not to give up and worked tirelessly to bring Dr. Bawumia to help win and the NPP retain power.
“Your selection as running mate means that we all have confidence in you and the Speaker. That means we must form the backbone as leaders to ensure victory. I strongly believe that if the NPP comes to power, traditional leaders will be empowered to change the country’s position on the development agenda,” he stressed. Dr. Prempeh acknowledged the role that the chiefs played through prayer, unity, and coordination in the country’s power struggle towards independence. He further noted that while the establishment of UP traditions was due to the efforts of traditional leaders, it has become a proverbial point that whenever the history of Ghana is told, the role of traditional leaders is often not acknowledged and chiefs are not given the understanding to be involved in politics. Despite this, the chiefs have not ceased to pray for peace, unity, and development in their communities, he added.
He assured the traditional leaders that once the NPP comes to power, they will take their rightful place and contribute immensely to the development of the country. He then introduced the parliamentary candidates for Akuapem South, Mr. Eric Apeadu Yeboah, Mr. Samuel Awuku for Akuapem North, and Mr. Daniel Nana Addo Kenneth for Okere to Okuapemhene, and asked for their support for the candidates.
