A recent study conducted by the Department of History and Political Science at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has revealed that the selection of Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, popularly known as Napo, as the running mate of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia had a detrimental effect on the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) fortunes in the 2024 general elections.
The research, which focused on public perception and preference of the NPP’s Vice Presidential candidate, found that 85.45% of respondents were aware of Dr. Prempeh’s candidacy.
However, opinions on his influence were divided, with 47.29% believing he negatively impacted the campaign and 32.24% viewing him positively. Satisfaction with Dr. Prempeh’s performance was largely negative, with 36.31% very unsatisfied.
In contrast, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum was preferred by 53.14% of respondents as the ideal running mate and was seen as having the most positive impact by 58.56%.
This suggests that Dr. Adutwum’s proven track record and public appeal could have offered strategic advantages for the NPP.
Lead researcher, Professor Samuel Adu-Gyamfi, noted that “the data reveals mixed perception and a notable 47.29% of respondents, who believe that Dr. Prempeh negatively impacted the campaign.”
He also made some recommendations for Dr. Opoku Prempeh’s candidacy going forward, stating that “the running mate in any political party should potentially, if not galvanize support, serve as an icing on the cake of the campaign”.
Dr. Amakye Boateng, a Political Scientist at KNUST, also cited public dissatisfaction towards the NPP’s running mate.
The conclusion of the findings indicates that while Dr. Prempeh is widely recognized, his candidacy faces significant challenges due to dissatisfaction and mixed perceptions of his impact.
The NPP’s defeat in the 2024 elections has been attributed to several factors, including poor leadership, failed communication, and economic hardship.
The party’s leadership has been criticized for ignoring grassroots sentiments and imposing candidates, which led to internal dissatisfaction and ultimately affected the party’s performance in the elections.
-BY Issah Olegor
