The Concerned Youth of Southern Volta held a press conference in Tegbi to express their dissatisfaction with the actions of Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, popularly known as Napo. The group accused the former Minister of Education of demonstrating bias against the people of the Volta Region through policies and actions that they say have harmed the regions development and unity.
Speaking on behalf of the group, representatives Wonder Setsoafia Deynu and Moses Besah Kukubor outlined a series of grievances, including what they described as a clear pattern of disregard and divisive behavior toward the Volta Region and its people.
Allegations of Bias Against Voltarians
The groups first point of contention is the alleged systematic transfer of Voltarians from the Ministry of Education during Napos tenure as Minister. They claim these transfers were not coincidental but deliberate actions motivated by a deep-seated animosity toward the Ewe people. “His actions speak volumes about the deep-seated hatred he harbors for the Ewe people,” Deynu remarked.
Silence Amidst Disaster
Another major criticism directed at Dr. Prempeh was his perceived indifference during the Volta River Authority (VRA) spillage, which displaced over 36,000 people in the Volta Region. The group highlighted that despite the scale of the disaster, Dr. Prempeh did not offer any words of sympathy or support to the victims, further fueling sentiments of neglect. His neglect of the VRA flood victims is a glaring sign of his personal dislike for the people of the Volta Region, said Kukubor.
Opposition to Sea Defence Project
The group also condemned Dr. Prempeh for his alleged opposition to the Keta, Anloga, and Ketu South Sea Defence Project, a critical initiative designed to protect coastal communities from destructive tidal waves. According to the Concerned Youth, Napo went as far as advising his finance minister against including the project in the 2018 budget and threatened to lead a protest if the project was funded.
Napo actively worked against the sea defence project, showing a complete lack of empathy and concern for the safety and welfare of our communities, Deynu asserted.
Controversial Educational Policies
The group accused Dr. Prempeh of attempting to introduce Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) into the basic school curriculum, which they argue was a covert attempt to push pro-LGBTQ+ ideologies on young students. They claimed this move was a direct attack on the moral values of Ghanaian society, particularly in the Volta Region.
Support for Galamsey
Dr. Prempehs stance on illegal mining, locally known as galamsey, was another point of criticism. The group referenced his statement during a campaign, where he allegedly promised to buy excavators for illegal mining if elected as vice president, which they say contradicts efforts to curb environmental degradation in Ghana.
How can such a person be trusted with leadership when he openly supports the destruction of our natural resources? questioned Kukubor.
A Threat to National Unity?
Perhaps most poignantly, the Concerned Youth contrasted Napos actions with the legacy of his grandfather, Asantehene Osei Tutu II, the King of the Ashanti Kingdom. They praised Osei Tutu II for his efforts to foster peace and unity among Ghanas various ethnic groups, a stark contrast to what they described as Napos divisive tendencies.
Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh is a man driven by tribalism, stated the group. His actions have shown time and again that if he were ever given the opportunity to lead as vice president, he would be a traitor to the development of the Volta Region and a threat to the progress of Anloland.
A Call to Action
The Concerned Youth of Southern Volta concluded by urging all Ghanaians to consider the implications of Dr. Prempehs leadership on national unity and the development of the Volta Region. They called for a collective effort to vote against the NPP in the upcoming elections to ensure a more inclusive and equitable distribution of national resources.
We call on the good people of Ghana to recognize the danger Napo represents, not just to the Volta Region, but to the unity and progress of our entire nation, the group declared.
The press conference ended with a plea for unity and a renewed commitment to making the Volta Region great and strong once again.
