The Okuapemhene, Oseadeeyo Kwasi Akuffo III, has encouraged Ghanaians to support Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh and vote massively for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the upcoming general elections.
According to him, the decision of the NPP flagbearer and his running mate to seek the blessings and directions of traditional and religious leaders before embarking on their political campaigns lends credence to their humility and respect for tradition and religion.
“I know you are humble, judging from your background as a royal. All we are looking for from you is to be forthright and candid in all your dealings. If you have accepted being the running mate of Dr Bawumia, then you have to be his partner to do all the necessary work for him to succeed,” he urged.
He tasked the presidential running mate and his team to sell the records of President Akufo-Addo’s achievements to get Ghanaians to vote massively for the NPP in the upcoming elections.
Oseadeeyo Kwasi Akuffo III made these observations when Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh paid a courtesy call to him at his residence in Akropong on Thursday, July 25, 2024.
The traditional leader described as “commendable”, the initiative to incorporate chieftaincy and religious leadership into the nation’s developmental agenda, spearheaded by Dr. Bawumia and NAPO.
The Okuapemhene said Dr Prempeh’s acknowledgement of the role traditional rulers played in the struggle for independence shows their readiness to empower chieftaincy and religious institutions if Ghanaians give them the mandate.
“If you have been chosen as the running mate, it means all of us will rely on you and the leader. It also means that you have to be the backbone of the leader to ensure victory is achieved. I strongly believe that when the NPP wins power, you will empower traditional leaders to reposition them in the development agenda of the country,” he emphasised.
He congratulated Dr. Prempeh on his elevation to the position of running mate of the NPP, explaining that such a milestone was not achieved easily.
“It is because of your hard work for the party and country that you have been chosen to partner with Dr. Bawumia, and I strongly believe that you will deliver,” he noted.
He urged NAPO not to relent in his efforts to work assiduously to support Dr Bawumia to win and retain power for the NPP.
On his part, Dr Prempeh acknowledged the role chiefs played in the independence power struggle of the country.
He further explained that the establishment of the UP tradition was through the efforts of traditional leaders, expressing concerns that the role played by traditional leaders is often not acknowledged.
That notwithstanding, the chiefs, he added, have not stopped praying for the peace, unity, and development of the community.
He assured the traditional leaders that when the NPP wins power, they will be put in their rightful places to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s development.
He then introduced the Parliamentary Candidates of Akuapem South, Eric Apeadu Yeboah, Akuapem North, Sammi Awuku, and Okere, Daniel Nana Addo Kenneth, to the Okuapemhene and appealed for his support for these candidates.
