.. In search of NPP’s love back in stronghold
Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, popularly known as “NAPO,” the running mate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the 2024 elections, and his “special boy,” Ekow Vincent Assafuah, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Old Tafo, are using the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, as a scapegoat in an attempt to regain their party’s lost influence in the region they have long considered the NPP’s stronghold.
In recent days, the pair, have launched verbal attacks on the free-spirited 34-year-old Dr Amoakohene, an enthusiastic young leader determined to advocate for the youth in a region where older individuals have historically been appointed as regional ministers under the authority of the highly influential traditional ruler, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
NAPO, who lays claim to the Asante Golden Stool, warned the Regional Minister against the misuse of power, warning of curses, in reference to the Adum Blue Light Market in Kumasi’s Central Business District.
“I want to plead with the Regional Minister that he should realise that authority is exercised over people, not animals. And so, if God has given him authority, he should use that authority to help people,” NAPO stated.
“The steps he takes in exercising his authority should be ones that will earn him blessings, not curses,” he added at the fire disaster site.
His protégé and former spokesman at the Education Ministry, Mr Ekow Assafuah, also aimed at the Regional Minister while speaking on Kumasi-based Oyerepa TV.
He said, “No matter what Dr Frank Amoakohene does, he cannot weaken the base of the NPP in the Ashanti Region,” adding, “Ghanaians should show me any remarkable thing the Ashanti Regional Minister, has done to deserve such commendation and praise.”
Dr Amoakohene is widely regarded as humble and knowledgeable about Ashanti culture. His performance during his vetting at the Appointment Committee was considered exceptional.
He has actively used his social media platforms to mobilise the Ashanti Regional youth, as well as professionals, in an effort to weaken the NPP’s dominance in favour of the opposition NDC, a development that has not sat well with the opposition party.
Interestingly, Dr Amoakohene, succeeded Simon Osei Mensah, who, during his eight-year tenure, clashed with the same traders and publicly berated them for demanding certain amenities from the Akufo-Addo government.
The NPP’s electoral support in the Ashanti Region dwindled in the 2024 elections due to perceptions that the party had taken the region for granted.
Many of the criticisms, particularly from within the NPP, have been veiled under the pretext of addressing the Adum fire disaster.
In May 2023, during a campaign rally for a by-election in Kumawu, Dr Opoku Prempeh, who was then serving as an NPP MP for Manhyia South and Minister of Energy, made a controversial statement, claiming the party could win elections merely by distributing T-shirts.
“If we cannot organise campaign rallies, let’s use our money to print T-shirts and distribute them to our party faithful and everyone – after all, our NPP T-shirts are beautiful, and I don’t think anybody will be wearing them and then vote for another party,” he said, following the death of Philip Attah Bassoah, which had rendered the seat vacant.
However, Dr Opoku Prempeh has since changed his tone, now urging the Regional Minister to handle the aftermath of the Adum PZ fire outbreak with empathy.
The tragic fire, which erupted in the early hours of Friday, 21st March, left several traders devastated as they lost their livelihoods in the blaze.
Speaking during a donation event on Monday, where he presented GH₵50,000 and 500 bags of cement to aid the reconstruction of the affected market, NAPO did not mince words in addressing the Minister’s approach towards the victims.
The former Energy Minister and NPP running mate emphasised that the affected traders were not just random individuals but had connections to notable figures who had contributed to rebuilding efforts.
“Dr Mahamudu Bawumia was here, and his tribesmen are among the affected traders. Hon. Kennedy Agyapong too has been here, and some of his tribesmen are also doing business here.”
“Even I am related to some of the traders whose shops were destroyed by the fire, and so we are all victims of this disaster. I plead for patience. We don’t want any confusion. We want unity,” he stressed.
Beyond his immediate support, NAPO, called on the government to implement proactive measures to prevent future market fires, stressing the need for fairness and compassion in handling the crisis to ensure affected traders receive the assistance and justice they deserve.
These remarks prompted Regional Minister to take to Facebook, stating that everything should not be about partisan affiliations. “The next election is 3 years and 8 months away. Our focus now should be on how we can develop our beloved region and nation.”
However, Ekow Vincent Assafuah swiftly responded, saying, “Minister, I thought it would have been an opportunity to tell us what tangible thing you have done in our beloved Region oooo. However, I also praised you in my interview thus far, don’t ignore that one.”
“To answer those who are interested in what tangible thing I have done in my constituency, I have this to say: I have completed and operationalised the Pankrono Community Health Centre as part of my commitment to the health development of my people. THIS IS NOT STATE-FUNDED.
“I have completed a police station in the Pankrono Community, which is also NOT STATE-FUNDED but from my personal funds to contribute to security in my constituency. It is tangible, and you can see it.”
He concluded by urging the Minister to focus on developing the region and avoid playing to the gallery.
The Adum fire disaster, which occurred on 21st March, resulted in significant losses, leaving many traders struggling to recover. In a widely circulated video, Dr Amoakohene was seen expressing frustration at fire officers who arrived at the scene without water in their tenders, sparking mixed reactions regarding his approach.
In June 2018, then Ashanti Regional Minister Simon Osei Mensah made headlines when he unapologetically likened the attitude of Kumasi traders to that of goats, insisting he would use the same analogy again if they failed to change their ways.
At the pre-launch of the ‘Keeping Kumasi Clean and Green Project’ by the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), Mr Osei Mensah, who was a guest speaker at the commemoration of that year’s World Environment Day, was quoted as saying, “Some people behave like goats, and they need to be whipped with canes before they will vacate from selling on the streets and in several unauthorised places.”
His comments did not sit well with some traders, who saw them as insulting. However, Mr Osei Mensah defended his statement, explaining that it was rooted in an Akan proverb that equates recalcitrant behaviour to that of goats.
He denied accusations that he had encouraged traders to sell cocaine, clarifying that he had merely used the analogy to illustrate that, just as selling cocaine is illegal, so too is trading in unauthorised locations.
Mr Osei Mensah, maintained that selling on the streets was both illegal and dangerous, warning traders of the risks involved.
He reiterated that enforcing trading laws was not meant to destroy businesses but to ensure order and safety within Kumasi.