Deputy Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Upper East Region, Andrew Asungiiba Atariwine says the selection of Energy Minister, Dr. Mathew Opoku-Prempeh for the position of a running-mate presents him with an opportunity to improve upon his posture in the public space.
He said although Dr. Opoku-Prempeh, on a number occasions, incurred the displeasure of the public due to his utterances and demeanour, his new role in the political space will surely shape him to be better.
“If it’s about the excesses, or the extremist point of his appreciation of public issues, he will now have to redefine himself for the acceptance of the Ghanaian people,” he stated.
“I’m not justifying any of the things that he said that didn’t sink well with the Ghanaian people. I’m rather saying that there’s room for improvement and I believe getting this opportunity, he will have self introspection and definitely, he will want to present himself in a better way,” he added.
Flagbearer of the NPP, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has nominated the Energy Minister as running-mate for the 2024 elections pending approval by the National Council of the party.
Already, he has informed the president, Nana Akufo-Addo and leadership both at the party level and in parliament about his choice.
But there are concerns about the acceptability of the nominee by the general voter population.
Some have cited his public utterances in the past and in recent times, tagging him as arrogant and misguided, thus, unfit for the position.
But speaking in an interview on Breakfast Today on Dreamz FM, Andrew Atariwine said the consideration for the running-mate post transcends personal traits.
“So we should not look at just his personal traits but what is he bringing on board in terms of intellectual knack or intellectual capacity in complementing that of the Vice-President” .
He, however, is of the belief that the Energy Minister will be guided in his public utterances and general demeanour by his elevation in the political space.
