In his latest book, The President Ghana Never Got, investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni sheds light on how Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh (NAPO) was selected as Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s running mate.
Awuni reveals that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo was taken aback to learn about Dr. Bawumia’s decision from external sources rather than from his own advisors. The book also notes that the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, was aware of the choice two months prior to the official announcement to the president.
“The Asantehene had mentioned it to the President. Akufo-Addo was shocked to hear the news at his next door from someone about 250 kilometres away. But this was not accidental,” myjoyonline.com quoted part of the book as saying.
The book highlighted that three weeks before Dr. Bawumia communicated his decision to Akufo-Addo, the Asantehene mentioned it to the president during a conversation, which left him shocked.
Manasseh further stated that before officially informing the president, Dr. Bawumia had already discussed his choice with former President John Agyekum Kufuor.
“The information about Bawumia’s choice of running mate was more secure with the Asantehene at the Manhyia Palace than in Akufo-Addo’s Jubilee House and the state intelligence agency he trusted to conduct the research.”
“When Bawumia reared his head, NAPO told Bawumia that he had been preparing for a long time to contest, but since Bawumia was contesting, he would step back and support his candidacy. Bawumia was touched by that gesture and earmarked NAPO for the running mate position.
“NAPO was not the ideal candidate because of his perceived arrogance, but he checked all the boxes of political considerations, the foremost being that the running mate must come from the Ashanti Region.”
Manasseh also revealed that President Akufo-Addo and his family were hoping for Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum to be selected as the running mate.
The book added that Dr. Bawumia initially preferred Apostle Professor Opoku Onyinah, the former Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, as his running mate, rather than NAPO.
However, NAPO was chosen due to his strong political standing, particularly, his connection to the Ashanti Region.