The Minister for Energy, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has called on Ghanaians to disregard a video circulating where he allegedly described Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as useless.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, Dr. Prempeh's spokesperson, Kofi Abrefa Afena, clarified that the remarks were made in 2014 in reaction to then President John Dramani Mahama's State of the Nation address.
Afena stated, “The said interview by Dr. Prempeh was in February 2014, in reaction to the State of the Nation Address of then President John Mahama where he blamed the country's economic woes on external shocks. In fact, at the time, the Cedi was rated as the worst-performing currency in the world.”
He emphasized that in the video, Dr. Prempeh consistently referred to “the President,” not Vice President Bawumia, making it clear that the statements were not directed at Dr. Bawumia, who has never served as President.
“Dr. Prempeh wishes to reiterate his absolute belief and confidence in the flagbearer of the NPP, His Excellency, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, as the most competent and credible candidate, with proven incorruptibility, to beat the NDC flagbearer in 2024, based on the NPP's superior record in government,” said Afena.
He further expressed Dr. Prempeh's firm view that the people of Ghana, on the balance of probabilities, will renew the NPP mandate with Dr. Bawumia, praising the government's resilience in steering the country amid global challenges.
The statement serves as a clarification to dispel any misconceptions arising from the resurfaced video and to reaffirm Dr. Prempeh's unwavering support for Vice President Bawumia as a strong candidate for the upcoming elections.
