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Vice President of IMANI Africa, Kofi Bentil, says Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh’s (Napo) strategic importance as the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Vice Presidential candidate for the 2024 elections is crucial for revitalizing the party’s base.
According to him Dr Opoku Prempeh’s understanding and leveraging of traditional power structures in Ghana, such as the chieftaincy institution, is essential for any politician like himself, aiming for success.
He also believes that Napo’s royal lineage and his decision to begin his campaign efforts from the traditional curtain reflect a profound understanding of these dynamics.
“Ghana is a democracy, and our kings and chiefs are not supposed to do mainstream politics. But if you are a politician and you belittle the chieftaincy institution in this country, you just shot yourself in the foot. If you are a politician in this country and you don’t understand the power, and I am talking about real power people like the Asantehene wield, you are joking,” Bentil stated on Newsfile aired on JoyNews on Saturday (13 July).
“One of the problems of the NPP is that their base is demoralized, and they may not get people coming out to vote in the kind of numbers they want. [And] Napo is the one man who can change that”, he added.
Touching on accusations of arrogance against the former Energy Minister Mr Bentil argued that such labels diminish his effectiveness and strategic importance.
“So far as I am concerned, it is Vice President Bawumia’s choice, and I think he also knew the weaknesses of Napo. If you tag that as arrogance, it is just belittling the matter”, the IMANI Vice President posited.
Mr Bentil is also urging the NPP flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia to hold a conference with members of the media.
According to him, it will help him state his position on issues and outline his plans for the country’s future if he is given the chance to lead.
This comes after the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, John Mahama held a meeting with the press on Sunday.
The former President engaged journalists who asked pertinent questions about his time in office, and controversies that bedeviled it, and the way forward.
Mr Bentil admitted that he understood why the Vice President would hesitate to take on such a venture. He believes the current economic climate and hardship of the people may make it unfavourable for Dr Bawumia.
However, the legal practitioner said it was necessary for Ghanaians to find a way to “force it out of our leaders.”
SOURCE: DAILY MAIL GH
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