Dr. Richard Amoako Baah, a former head of the Political Science Department at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), has criticised Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, popularly known as NAPO, for his recent comments comparing the legacies of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Ghana's first president, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.

During his unveiling event in Kumasi on July 9, 2024, NAPO asserted that President Akufo-Addo had outperformed Dr. Nkrumah.

This statement has sparked backlash, with Dr. Amoako Baah leading the charge, describing the comments as disrespectful and unfounded.

"Anybody who says that what NAPO said is good is a liar because this is called an unforced error," he said.

Speaking in an interview on Onua FM on July 11, 2024, he emphasised that even President Akufo-Addo would disagree with NAPO's assertion. He stressed that President Akufo-Addo himself would never claim to have surpassed Nkrumah's achievements.

"It is a flawed judgment. You have become a minister for eight years to gain experience, so you can thank Nana Akufo-Addo for allowing you to serve and gain experience.

"But you can't say he has performed better than Nkrumah because of what he did for you. Even Akufo-Addo himself won't agree with what you are saying. He will never agree that he has performed better than Nkrumah," he asserted.

Dr. Baah expressed frustration over the country's current state, highlighting the severe economic challenges Ghana faces, including substantial national debt. He criticised NAPO for focusing on such comparisons instead of addressing pressing issues.

"The country is drowning in debt, and you are there saying this nonsense. Talk about how you will solve problems; that is what we want to hear about; what he is saying is not true, so he shouldn't have said it. Does he have eyes different from what I have and those of Ghanaians?" he said.

"If he has done well, why is the country suffering? He should explain. Does he live in a different country? Best president, and they have stolen all the money, best president, and we are suffering," he added.

Meanwhile, NAPO has apologised for his comments comparing the achievements of Ghana's first president, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, to those of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

In a statement released and signed by Dr. Opoku Prempeh, he clarified that his remarks reflected his personal opinion regarding President Akufo-Addo's impact compared to other Ghanaian leaders.

"I wish to emphasise that I never meant to disrespect our former president, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, or any of our former presidents or heads of state, including my grand uncle and mentor, John Agyekum Kufuor.

"I note the concerns raised, and I sincerely apologise for any discomfort caused," he wrote.

During his official unveiling in Kumasi on July 9, Dr. Opoku Prempeh said, "Since independence in 1957, we've not had any president who has helped Ghana like Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. From 1957 till today, you can bring your Kwame Nkrumah... no president has protected Ghana and moved the country forward like Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo."

These remarks have drawn criticism, prompting the Convention People's Party (CPP) to call for Dr. Opoku Prempeh's resignation.

AM/SEA

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