Member of Parliament for Suame, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, has explained reason behind the absence of key New Patriotic Party (NPP) figures at the unveiling of Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, also known as NAPO, in Kumasi as the party’s running mate.
In a recent interview on YouTube, Mensah-Bonsu stated that both he and the Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, as well as the Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei Owusu, known as Joe Wise, were occupied with their parliamentary and party responsibilities.
He disclosed that NPP flagbearer Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia tasked him with drafting and preparing the party’s manifesto for the 2024 elections.
He noted that his role as the head of the manifesto committee involved intensive work sessions, including one the day before the unveiling ceremony.
“The work that the vice president tasked me with as the manifesto committee head required me to work with the team to draft the report for him. We worked on Monday, the day before the unveiling.
“We had other discussions that we needed to include in the manifesto, so we had to stay and work on those things because Bawumia needed such information for his regional tours a few days after the event.
“I have already informed my younger brother, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, about why I couldn’t go,” he said.
He also mentioned that Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, the Minister of Education, was occupied with parliamentary responsibilities such that his presence in parliament was essential for the review of the National Service Authority Bill, as he was the sponsoring minister.
“I was in the office working during the time my younger brother NAPO was being unveiled. I was in the office working when they called from parliament, asking me to come help with the National Service Authority bill.
“So, I went to parliament and met former mayor Osei Assibey, who is the chief executive at the National Service Secretariat. He told me they had a problem with the bill, and Hon. Osei Owusu had told him to call me to come and help.
“The sponsoring minister for the national service is Adutwum, so he was also supposed to be in parliament as the Minister of Education. Bagbin was also occupied with other matters, so he had summoned Osei Owusu to sit in for the proceedings. When I arrived, I realized Osei Owusu was the one presiding,” he asserted.
He indicated that Joseph Osei Owusu, the Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament and MP for Bekwai, was likewise engaged with parliamentary proceedings.
“We sat and worked on the bill, and even when I wanted to visit the washroom, Osei Assibey thought I was running away and had to follow me.
“Adutwum had to be there because of the national service bill, and Osei Owusu was also presiding that day, which is why he couldn’t go. I haven’t asked them yet, but based on what I saw, this is why I am saying this,” he added.
Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, known as NAPO, was announced as Dr. Bawumia’s running mate on June 9, 2024, in Kumasi.