THE President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has officially introduced Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh as the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) presidential ticket for election 2024 to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
Nana Akufo-Addo said he was confident the Asantehene would support a Bawumia/Opoku Prempeh reign just as he supported him during his eight year tenure.
He expressed his belief in the Vice President and the support he had given him, adding that he was confident of the NPP breaking the ‘8’.
“When Bawumia met with the National Executive Council (NEC) to present his running mate, he brought someone from your own home. When he presented him, there was no single person at the NEC that opposed his candidature.
The President extolled Dr Prempeh saying: “I handed over the Free Senior High School (FSHS) to him (Matthew Opoku Prempeh) and I knew he could do it, and he was able to handle it and today, the FSHS has been successful… Then I sent him to the Energy Ministry and there too, he performed creditably,” he told the Asantehene.
The President also thanked the Asantehene for honouring them by inviting his chiefs to come and grace the occasion.
Adding a bit of humour, the President said, “Dr Digitalisation and his running mate, Dr Opoku Prempeh are here. You’ve honoured us for bringing together all these chiefs to meet us here today,” the President indicated.
He said he had worked with the two gentlemen and could, therefore, vouched for their hard work qualities.
“I have trust and confidence in the two of them to do the work. I have worked with the two and I know that they can do.
I know that on the 7th of December, when Ghanaians have given them the mandate they will work to meet the expectations of Ghana,” President Akufo-Addo said.
The ceremony, which took place at the Manhyia Palace, yesterday, was attended by NPP faithful and a large crowd including paramount chiefs among others.
Otumfuo the Asantehene advised Dr Prempeh not to let down Dr Bawumia for him to regret choosing him as his running mate.
He reminded him that people had been saying he was arrogant but he should not let it be a reality and that he should act with humility in all his endeavors.
The introduction at the Manhyia Palace formed part of the official outdooring of Dr Prempeh to the teeming supporters of the party at the Jubilee Park.
Dr Bawumia, last Thursday, introduced Dr Prempeh as his choice for the running mate position to the hierarchy of the party at the Alisa Hotel in Accra.
As a result, it was incumbent on the flagbearer, who is also the Vice President, to officially outdoor Dr Prempeh at the ceremony to herald NPP’s campaign.
As at the time of filing this report, the Jubilee Park was filled up with a large crowd of supporters.
FROM KINGSLEY E. HOPE, KUMASI
