The running mate of the New Patriotic Party for the 2024 election, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, is being criticized for disrespecting Ghana’s first president, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, when he stated that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has outperformed Nkrumah.

The NPP running mate has since apologized for his statement, clarifying that he never intended to disrespect Kwame Nkrumah.

However, this is not the first time the NPP has claimed that President Akufo-Addo's accomplishments surpass those of the late Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.

In the lead-up to the 2020 election, party members made similar claims, prompting a strong reaction from former President John Dramani Mahama, the current flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

During a campaign event, Mahama criticized the Akufo-Addo government for attempting to compare their achievements to those of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.

He emphasized that the first president of Ghana was a visionary who initiated projects that are still essential to Ghana today.

Mahama stated, “The only thing they know is propaganda; ‘We have fulfilled all our promises, we are the best government since Independence - not even Nkrumah comes near’. How can you compare this incompetent government to that of Nkrumah?

“Nkrumah was a visionary. If you want, go and turn off the Akosombo Dam and see if we would have electricity in this country. It was in 1965 that Nkrumah established the Akosombo Dam and to this day, it is the foundation of our power supply in this country. Block the motorway and see if anyone can travel in this country."

He continued, “The Tema Harbour was built by Nkrumah. Without Tema Harbour, could we import goods into this country? Nkrumah constructed the Kotoka Airport. You cannot compare yourself to Nkrumah; don’t even try.”

The former president challenged the Akufo-Addo government to compare their achievements to his own and not to those of Nkrumah or any past president, including Jerry John Rawlings, John Agyekum Kufuor, and the late Prof John Evans Atta Mills.

Watch Mahama's comments in the video below:



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