Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the 2024 New Patriotic Party (NPP) running mate, has questioned claims that Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia was directly responsible for Ghana’s recent economic difficulties, arguing the narrative does not fully match the political record.
Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, Dr Opoku Prempeh pointed to Ghana’s performance during the COVID 19 period as a starting point for his argument. He asked what went wrong if Ghana’s economy was one of the best managed even during the pandemic.
He referred to the moment when 88 NPP Members of Parliament (MPs) publicly raised concerns about the state of the economy and called for dismissals within government. Dr Opoku Prempeh noted that Bawumia was present yet MPs mentioned someone else’s name instead of his.
According to Dr Opoku Prempeh, that episode raised important questions about where responsibility for economic management truly lay during the second term of the Akufo Addo administration. The fact that 88 MPs made that statement should tell something important, he said.
He also compared Bawumia’s public role across the two terms of the administration, noting a visible shift in focus. Bawumia spoke extensively about the economy in the first four years but in the last four years he focused mainly on digitalisation, Dr Opoku Prempeh explained.
Dr Opoku Prempeh rejected the idea that this shift was an attempt to avoid responsibility. It was not an attempt to evade responsibility, he said, suggesting economic management was no longer within Bawumia’s direct control so he explored other avenues to support economic growth.
The former Education Minister described Dr Bawumia as NPP’s most marketable and competent presidential candidate ahead of Saturday’s primary election. His support for Bawumia is based on competence, experience and track record, he noted.
Dr Opoku Prempeh praised Bawumia’s forward looking ideas, saying they are well suited for challenges of the 21st century. He described the former Vice President as an apprentice who has become a master, highlighting his rise through the ranks and deep understanding of governance at every level.
He embodies the idea of an apprentice who has become a master, Dr Opoku Prempeh added. Bawumia has worked through the ranks and is currently the most appealing and recognizable candidate with knowledge and intellect needed for leadership.
Even before becoming president, Bawumia rolled out numerous initiatives and his focus on technology is already transforming the country, Dr Opoku Prempeh said. He represents NPP’s best chance for the future with ideas suited for the 21st century.
Dr Opoku Prempeh has also dismissed claims that Vice President Bawumia is weak or incapable of taking decisions. He explained that under Ghana’s constitutional framework, executive decision making authority lies with the President, not the Vice President.
He noted that although Dr Bawumia served for eight years as head of the Economic Management Team (EMT), he could not independently take final decisions as such authority remained the prerogative of the President.
According to Dr Opoku Prempeh, it is unfair to suggest that Dr Bawumia cannot make decisions, stressing he has never occupied the presidency to be assessed in that capacity. He added that several ideas championed by Dr Bawumia, particularly in innovation and digital transformation, continue to sustain government operations.
Dr Opoku Prempeh argued there is nothing miraculous about current economic measures being implemented by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government. He said similar strategies were implemented under the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo administration.
He cited introduction of the gold for oil programme as key example, noting the policy removed dollar purchases from Bank of Ghana (BoG) and contributed to reduction in fuel prices at pumps. Under Nana Addo, government implemented a programme that allowed use of gold to purchase oil instead of relying on dollars from BoG, he said.
Dr Opoku Prempeh added that a stronger cedi should naturally result in lower fuel prices, cautioning that additional levies could be concealing the real cost of petroleum products. He questioned what new productive initiatives government has introduced to justify its recent economic claims.
The 2024 running mate has expressed concern over what he describes as lack of discipline and leadership within NPP. Speaking on the same programme, he said NPP currently needs strong leadership capable of managing recalcitrant members.
No individual is bigger than the party, Dr Opoku Prempeh stressed. Many prominent figures owe their political relevance to NPP and must therefore act in ways that protect its unity and public image.
Dr Opoku Prempeh has also called for a ban on media engagements by aspirants and their supporters during future internal party elections. He said media exchanges on radio, television and social media among party members often harm the party and can later come back to haunt both NPP and its elected leaders.
He expressed concern about public insults and exchanges among party members, describing them as unnecessary and damaging during internal contests. Such conduct does not change election outcomes but leaves lasting reputational harm, he noted.
NPP holds its flagbearer election on Saturday, January 31, 2026, with more than 211,000 delegates voting at 277 polling centres nationwide. Five candidates appear on the ballot including former Vice President Dr Bawumia.
