Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, widely known as NAPO and the 2024 Running Mate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), recently shared insights into the party’s origins, highlighting its deep-rooted ties to Ghanaian chiefs.
He explained that during the regime of the late Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, many Ghanaian chiefs were forced into exile, which led to the formation of various political groups. NAPO noted, “The United Party, which eventually gave rise to the Progress Party and others, and later united to become the NPP, was founded by our chiefs.”
He detailed how chiefs from different regions, including the Northern People’s Party, came together, emphasizing that “the party belonged to all Ghanaians before the creation of the Ashanti party.” NAPO also mentioned that Dr. Bawumia’s father, a royal, joined the CPP to protect the Mamprusi chief from arrest during Nkrumah’s era.
According to NAPO, the persecution of chiefs during this time played a significant role in the emergence of political groups that eventually merged to form the NPP. “We are here today to meet and honor the chiefs because they are the true founders of our party,” he remarked during a radio interview on August 16, 2024, while on a campaign tour in the Ashanti Region.
He elaborated on how chiefs from various regions, including the Volta, Accra, and the Zongo communities, came together to form political alliances that united with the United Party. NAPO’s comments underscore the historical significance of chiefs in the formation of the NPP and the party’s broad appeal across different regions of Ghana.
In his interview, NAPO highlighted the importance of the chiefs in the party’s history and the ongoing unity among Ghana’s traditional leaders in supporting the NPP. He also pointed out that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the party’s leader, comes from a royal lineage, further emphasizing the party’s deep connection to Ghanaian traditions and leadership.
