My Comments on Nkrumah Were Misrepresented for Political Gain – Opoku Prempeh

Speaking at the Department of Political Science at the University of Ghana, Dr. Opoku Prempeh reflected on his experience as running mate to the NPP’s 2028 presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. He argued that political opponents and sections of the media distorted his comments in an effort to create a negative image of him among the public. According to him, such reactions are common in politics, where statements are often reinterpreted to fit competing political narratives. “When I spoke about Nkrumah, much of the reporting twisted my words. In politics, people will always seek to reinterpret your comments when it suits their agenda. However, such controversies usually do not last long,” he said. Dr. Opoku Prempeh also addressed perceptions that he is arrogant, insisting that the label was politically motivated and not based on personal interactions with him. He revealed that before accepting the role of running mate, he anticipated the types of criticisms that could be directed at him and expected opponents to create negative narratives around his personality. According to him, many of the commentators who described him as arrogant had never met him personally. “Before becoming a running mate, nobody publicly described me as arrogant. Yet suddenly, many commentators began repeating the same claim, despite never having interacted with me,” he said. The former Energy Minister maintained that he is not troubled by such criticisms, arguing that attempts to unfairly portray public figures are often exposed over time. “I do not allow it to affect me because the truth eventually comes out,” he added. The controversy stems from remarks Dr. Opoku Prempeh made during his unveiling as the NPP’s running mate in Kumasi on June 9, 2024. At the event, he suggested that no president in Ghana’s history, including Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, had achieved more than former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. The comments triggered widespread public criticism, with many Ghanaians demanding an apology and a retraction. In the aftermath of the backlash, Dr. Opoku Prempeh issued a public apology, expressing regret over the controversy generated by his remarks.