NAPO should've been scripted; his handlers did terrible job — Atik Mohammed 

Atik Mohammed has criticised the handlers of Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, commonly known as NAPO, for allowing the Vice Presidential Candidate to make an embarrassing comment during his unveiling on Tuesday, July 9.

During the event in Kumasi, NAPO delivered his acceptance speech as the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Vice Presidential Candidate for the 2024 general elections.

In his remarks, he controversially claimed that no president since Ghana's independence in 1957, including Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, had contributed to the country's progress more than President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

"Since independence from 1957 till today, we’ve not had any president that has helped Ghana like Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. I say from 1957 till today, you can bring your Kwame Nkrumah… no President has protected Ghana and moved the country forward like Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo," NAPO stated.

These statements sparked widespread backlash, particularly from the Convention People’s Party (CPP), who demanded an apology from NAPO and called for his removal as the NPP Running Mate.

Reacting to the controversy on Peace FM’s “Kokrokoo” morning show, Atik Mohammed, a former General Secretary of the People’s National Convention (PNC), criticised NAPO's handlers for their poor preparation.

He argued that Dr. Opoku Prempeh should not have been allowed to speak without a script.

“He ought to have been scripted but you allowed him to extemporise; extempore presentations are not easy. You can be good at many things but when it comes to public speaking, that is also an art,” Atik said.

Atik further noted that NAPO’s new role is a “unique distinction conferred on him” that requires careful handling.

He advised NAPO to re-examine his team and hire competent persons to do the job.

“You’re now under a microscope. He’s a scientist, I believe he understands; look, the minutest detail of what you do or don’t do is being monitored by people and there are people whose prayers are that you will slip for them to find fault with you,” Atik added.

Meanwhile, NAPO has apologised for his supposedly denigrating comments about Ghana's first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah.

He said his statement on Tuesday was not meant to disrespect Dr Nkrumah or any of the country’s former heads of state.