A survey purported to have been conducted by the National Intelligence Bureau has revealed Energy Minister Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh as the most preferred candidate for the running mate of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.
But what are the deciding factors and why is he preferred?
We can say it all began from the NPP flagbearership race between former Trade Minister, Alan Kyerematen and Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.
With Alan Kyerematen from the Ashanti Region and Dr Bawumia from the north, it was clear that a flagbearer from the north was most likely to choose a running mate from the south, as has been the convention by political parties over the years.
And so, winning the NPP flagbearership race only meant one thing; that Dr Bawumia would have to choose a running mate from NPP’s stronghold, the Ashanti Region.
Political Analyst Jonathan Asante Okyere explains further; “In the Northern Region there’s strive in the minority, the actual support base of the party is in the Ashanti Region and so you’ll need someone from that particular region to be able to neutralise all the odds that you are creating.”
It was at that moment that, the fortunes of all the key figures within the NPP in the Ashanti Region took a curve for the better.
MPs and long serving figures within the region were amongst the most obvious choices; with names like Hon Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Joseph Osei-Owusu, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum and others popping up from time to time.
But since Dr. Bawumia won the flagbearership race, Energy Minister Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh has for some time now, been referred to as the most preferred candidate; at least that’s the verdict of the purported National Intelligence Bureau’s latest survey.
This survey, Jonathan Asante Okyere believes is propaganda. “This particular NIB report is more or less a propaganda piece because it is a degeneration and denigration of what a state institution like NIB has become.”
The question then remains, how is an MP rumored to have gained the position based on his links to the Manhyia Palace and one that has been in the eye of the storm for a myriad of Energy issues, now the most preferred choice for the running mate position?
According to Political Analyst Mr Okyere; “It’s more about who has the resources and the delegates who virtually have become the kingmakers are of the view that if Dr Napo is really the choice of Dr Bawumia, he would have chosen him long ago. It tells you that convincingly, yes, Napo may be the leading candidate, but he’s not a choice of Dr Bawumia.”
Others suggest his strategic positioning may have played a major role. For instance, his decision of getting married after many years of being single, many say, was part of his ways to match up to the social status quo.
But former PRO of the Education Ministry, Vincent Assafuah thinks otherwise.
“How will his marriage help us increase or improve on economic growth in this country? Simplicita, I think he’s a leader and a result-oriented person.”
Who really is Matthew Opoku Prempeh?
Elected as Member of Parliament for the Manhyia South Constituency in 2008 and re-elected in 2016, Matthew Opoku Prempeh’s experience as a leader, came to bear after his appointment as Minister for Education in 2017.
Notable amongst his achievements was the implementation of the flagship free Senior High School Policy which was probably a major deciding factor for his appointment as Energy Minister in 2021; a position which allowed him the opportunity to oversee a ministry which had over the years faced major challenges.
But obviously NAPO does not have the cleanest of plates. His name has been in muddy waters for a number of reasons, specifically bordering on the recent erratic power outages experienced in parts of the country.
His response to calls for a load shedding timetable for instance was not taken lightly.
When he was questioned on calls for a timetable, he responded saying; “Ask those who want it to bring it. I haven’t seen any timetable. Bring your timetable. What do you mean?”
Not to mention the negative tags of arrogance and disrespect attached to his name. Tags, Vincent Assafuah deems unnecessary.
“Sometimes, you make mistakes and they tend to be looking for people who are simply humble. With the greatest of respect, I say these things because of what I’ve heard people say about him. Even in the event that it is true, how can we develop our nation with incompetent people who are probably humble?”
Whatever the choice would be, it certainly lies within the lips of the flagbearer of the party Dr Mahamudu Bawumia who seems unperturbed about choosing a running mate, barely 6 months to the 2024 general election.
But until he makes a choice, one thing is certain, that Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh has to contend with the likes of Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, Frema Osei Opare, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu and Joe Osei Owusu.
