The spokesperson for the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) presidential running mate, has criticised former President John Mahama for his remarks about Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh.

According to Fiifi Boafo, Mr Mahama lacks restraint in his language and therefore has no right to judge the former Energy Minister.

His comments come in response to criticism from the flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), who expressed concern over remarks made by Dr Prempeh about some of Ghana's former heads of state.

On July 9, 2024, during his unveiling as the running mate to NPP flagbearer Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Dr Prempeh claimed that no president, including Dr Kwame Nkrumah, has developed the nation as much as President Akufo-Addo.

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

These remarks were seen by many as disrespectful and condescending, prompting Dr Prempeh to later apologise.

However, a month after these comments circulated, Mr Mahama 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. 

• Read also: You’re arrogant; you don’t say evil things about the dead – Mahama slams Napo

“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. 

But responding to these comments on JoyNews’ NewsNight on Thursday, August 15, Mr Boafo argued that Mr Mahama is not a model for respectful or temperate language.

“Certainly, Mr Mahama is not the model for temperate language. Is it the same John Mahama who referred to Akyems as the Akyem sakawa boys? Is it the same John Mahama who referred to Martin Amidu, his senior as stupid? 

“Is it the same John Mahama who called people baloney? Certainly, he is not a model for temperate language, but yes as humans there may be times you get something wrong, and that is for you to do an assessment and then realise that what you did was either wrong or right and you correct your way,” he said.

He also noted that Dr Prempeh had already apologised after realising that his comments about past presidents were poorly received by Ghanaians.

“Dr Prempeh said something about our former presidents, he realised that what he said did not go down well. He issued a statement, beyond that - the Chief of Nkroful came out to say that they would wish that you come over to apologise in person. 

“He went to Nkroful, apologised and said he did not mean what he said. That is someone who admits that he's human and when you get something wrong you apologise. Not a person when he gets something wrong, he will say that the people who are asking questions about what he has said probably - the understanding or their level of education is not the standard for him to appreciate the things he is saying,” he added.