The running mate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the 2024 election, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, also known as Napo has apologised for his supposedly denigrating comments about Ghana's first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah.

He said his statement on Tuesday was not meant to disrespect Dr Nkrumah or any of the country’s former heads of state.

His apology comes after a section of Ghanaians criticised him for claiming that President Akufo-Addo has outperformed all his predecessors since Ghana’s independence including Dr Kwame Nkrumah.

Read also: Not even your Kwame Nkrumah developed Ghana like Akufo-Addo – Opoku Prempeh

Napo said this at his unveiling as the NPP running mate for the Presidential Candidate on Tuesday.

Read also: Napo must retract and apologise for denigrating Kwame Nkrumah – Armah-Kofi Buah

Persons including the Deputy Minority Leader, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah who is MP for the Ellembelle constituency, where Nkroful—the birthplace of Dr Nkrumah—is located, and leaders of the Conventional People's Party (CPP) have condemned Napo for his statement and demanded an apology and retraction.

Read also: Comparing Akufo-Addo’s achievements to Dr. Kwame Nkrumah: An insulting and grossly misguided comparison

Reacting to the public uproar, Napo in a statement on Friday July 12, said “The statement reflects my personal opinion about President Akufo-Addo’s impact relative to other Presidents we have had.

“I wish to emphasise that I never meant to disrespect our former President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah or any of our former heads of state, including my own grand uncle and mentor, Mr. John Agyekum Kufuor,” portions of the statement read.

He continued, “I note the concerns raised after my statement. I apologise sincerely and regret any discomfort caused.”

This apology comes after he had defended the comments despite public condemnation.

Read the full statement below: