A political scientist at the University of Ghana, Prof. Kobby Mensah, has advised Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the running mate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, to apologise for denigrating the name of Ghana’s first president, Dr Kwame Nkrumah.

During his official unveiling, Dr Opoku Prempeh declared that no president has developed the nation like President Akufo-Addo.

“Since independence from 1957 till today, we’ve not had any president that has helped Ghana like Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. I say from 1957 till today, you can bring your Kwame Nkrumah... no president who has protected Ghana and moved the country forward like Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo,” he explained.

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

These comments have been defended by NPP spokespersons, who claim that he was merely comparing the achievements of President Akufo-Addo to those of Dr Kwame Nkrumah.

• Read also: NAPO didn’t mean to disrespect Nkrumah – Fiifi Boafo

However, the political scientist argues that Ghana’s first president was a global icon, and it was inappropriate for a man seeking to lead the country that Nkrumah fought for its independence to make such remarks.

On Joy News’ Election Brief on July 10, “I think that he didn’t use the opportunity wisely. I think that it might not be his making. The handlers chose the wrong platform. Absolutely nobody would drag Nkrumah.

“Someone who has actually been selected as the personality of the century and you can speak about him in the manner that he did? In a very cynicism manner”.

He advised Napo to apologise so that he does not end up in the bad books of Ghanaians.

“I think that it was despicable, I would rather ask him to apologise so that in the history books when it is mentioned that he did that to Nkrumah, it could also be mentioned that he apologised," he added.