The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has dismissed claims by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) that it aims to take political advantage of the Manhyia Palace following the selection of Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh as running for the party's flagbearer, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh.

Mustapha Gbande, a Deputy General Secretary of the NDC, suggested that the NPP intends to use the selection of Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, a royal from the Manhyia Palace, to involve the respected traditional institution in partisan politics.

In response, Haruna Mohammed, a Deputy General Secretary of the NPP, described Gbande’s comments as unfortunate during an interview with Citi FM.

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Mr Mohammed emphasised that the Asantehene has not engaged in any actions that would justify such allegations from the NDC.

The NPP insists that their choice of Dr Opoku Prempeh is not an attempt to take political advantage of the Manhyia Palace, describing the NDC's accusations as baseless.

“Unfortunately, when people are identified by where they come from, there is no doubt that Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh is from a royal gate and that is a fact. The chief [Asantehene] touted this particular angle from which Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh comes."

“Where lies the drawing of the Asantehene or the [Manhyia] palace into politics? The Asantehene’s palace is the most revered in our land. And I don’t think that the Asantehene has ever engaged himself in political activity."

“He is a very distinguished king who is much respected by the rank and file of the kingdom. But it is not a crime for any member that comes from that palace to do politics," he said.