An investigation conducted by Ashantibiz in the Ashanti Region has revealed widespread dissatisfaction among voters over the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) choice of Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh as the running mate to Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
The controversy stems from Dr. Prempeh’s recent comments about former President Kwame Nkrumah, which many voters found offensive. Despite his subsequent apology, 75% of floating voters interviewed by Ashantibiz across various constituencies vowed not to vote for the NPP in the December election.
Voters expressed concerns that Dr. Prempeh’s comments reflected a lack of respect for an iconic Ghanaian leader and raised questions about his suitability as a potential Vice President. They argued that his public relations skills and ability to relate to voters were inadequate for the role.
The findings indicate that the NPP’s decision to select Dr. Prempeh as the running mate has drastically reduced the party’s base and voter choices in the Ashanti Region. Many voters who previously supported the NPP are now contemplating voting for other parties or abstaining from the election altogether.
This shift in voter sentiment is particularly significant as the Ashanti Region is a stronghold for the NPP and plays a pivotal role in determining the outcome of presidential elections in Ghana. The NPP’s inability to retain support in its traditional stronghold could have far-reaching implications for the party’s electoral prospects.
The concerns raised by voters in the Ashanti Region highlight the importance of careful candidate selection and the impact that perceptions of candidates can have on electoral outcomes. The NPP’s decision to nominate Dr. Prempeh has clearly alienated a significant portion of the electorate and cast doubt on the party’s ability to secure a victory in the upcoming election.
Godwin Owusu Frimpong
