Former President John Mahama has expressed concern about some remarks made by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential running mate, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh about some of Ghana's former heads of state.

On July 9, 2024, during his unveiling as the running mate to the NPP flagbearer, Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Dr Prempeh elevated President Akufo-Addo above Dr Kwame Nkrumah in terms of developmental achievements.

He claimed that no president, including Dr Nkrumah, has developed the nation as much as President Akufo-Addo.

How he referred to Dr Nkrumah was particularly deemed by many to be disrespectful and condescending, forcing him to apologise subsequently.

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

However, after a month of these comments circulating, the flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama, has criticised Dr Prempeh, accusing him of arrogance.

Speaking at a community engagement in the Adaklu Constituency of the Volta Region, Mr Mahama condemned Dr Prempeh's remarks as uncalled for and disrespectful to the late president.

“He can't hide his arrogance. I was just watching the video yesterday, and he was talking about the past president. 

“He said Rawlings, and he said Kufuor, and somehow he even forgot Professor Mills's name, and then he said, “That one who died”. I mean, how can you talk like this? Very disrespectful, very insulting. Arrogance is like pregnancy. Whatever you do, it will come out,” he said. 

The NDC flagbearer also said that despite the Asantehene’s advice to Dr Prempeh, he continues to disrespect past leaders.

“The running mate for NPP, when they went and introduced him to Otumfuo - Otumfuo said we brought you up because you are part of the Manhyia Palace, and we know we brought you up well, but we hear you are arrogant. 

“We hope that you prove people wrong. As soon as he left there, not up to three hours, he went and said, “That your Kwame Nkrumah.” That is a very disrespectful thing to say about the founder of this nation, and especially a founder who is no longer alive.

“You can insult me because I can respond because I am life, but in our tradition, you don't say evil things about the dead. You don't disrespect the dead because they are not alive to respond to you,” the former president added.