“Choice of running mate too important to be reduced to propaganda” – Friends of Adutwum on Okatakyie

According to a report by Ghanaweb on Sunday, Nov 8, 2026, a pro-Adutwum group has taken issue with broadcaster Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah after he backed Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, widely known as Napo, as the best running mate for the New Patriotic Party’s flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

The Friends of Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum described the endorsement as “hypocritical, self-serving and lacking credibility”. They questioned whether the commentator has the standing to shape the conversation on who should be the party’s vice-presidential candidate.

According to the group, Mr Afrifa Mensah has criticised Dr Bawumia on several media platforms in the past, at one point allegedly calling him an “empty” leader and doubting his competence and political appeal.

“Having consistently attacked and undermined Dr Bawumia in the past, he cannot suddenly position himself as a credible voice on who should be chosen to complement the flagbearer,” the group said.

The group maintained that Dr Adutwum, a former Education Minister and Member of Parliament for Bosomtwe, is the right person for the role. It pointed to his public service record, his appeal among young people and his education reforms. It added that he has the intellectual depth and national appeal to energise the party’s base while winning over undecided voters.

The statement also turned to Dr Opoku Prempeh’s record. The group argued that despite holding some of the most strategic ministerial positions, his time in office was marked by controversies and policy challenges, and did not deliver the transformation many Ghanaians expected.

“We believe Dr Bawumia deserves a running mate who can inspire confidence, attract floating voters and project competence, innovation and humility. In our view, that person is Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum,” the group said.

It urged delegates, supporters and opinion leaders to weigh competence, electability and national appeal, rather than media campaigns for preferred candidates.

The group’s spokesperson, Kwasi Antwi, said the running-mate decision should rest on what gives the party its best chance of winning, and not on the preferences or calculations of media personalities.

“The choice of a running mate is too important to be reduced to propaganda and personality-driven endorsements. The NPP must prioritise merit, performance and winning potential, and Dr Adutwum stands head and shoulders above the rest,” he said.

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