The Founder and Leader of Kristo Asafo Mission, Ing. Apostle Kwadwo Safo, has admonished Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the running mate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to prioritise peace building and consensus within the party to facilitate victory in the 2024 general elections.
Apostle Safo emphasised the critical role that unity and harmony play in solidifying the party’s support base in ensuring electoral success, charging Dr. Prempeh not to relent on his advice.
He noted that as a party that has been in government for almost eight years, it is only natural that as a human institution, some members may be peeved, hence, may develop cold feet.
He made this call when Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, affectionately called Napo, paid a courtesy call on him at his Gomoa Mpota industrial hub on Sunday, July 2024.
Dr. Prempeh had embarked on the courtesy call at the instance of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who intends to make chieftaincy and religious leaders an integral part of his government, when he wins the 2024 general elections. He has, therefore, mandated Dr. Prempeh to build consensus with them to facilitate that agenda.
Commenting further, Apostle Safo stressed that after going through the various internal elections, including polling station, electoral area, constituency, regional and national elections, it is obvious that some party faithful who contested and may not have not won will be peeved, and hence develop cold feet in campaigning vigorously for the party to win in the upcoming election.
He underscored the importance of internal cohesion and peaceful coexistence among party members and urged Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh to lead by example in fostering the spirit of reconciliation and cooperation among all factions within the NPP.
“As we approach the elections it is imperative that you and Dr. Bawumia will strengthen the foundations of your party with peace and unity”, he noted.
Apostle Kojo Safo’s call comes at a crucial time as political tensions escalate ahead of the elections. His message resonates with many within the NPP who believe that internal harmony is key to mobilising grassroots support.
Dr. Prempeh expressed gratitude to Apostle Kwakwo Safo for his wise counselling and assured him of coming home for further private discussions and directions, before he finally embarks on his political campaigning across the country.
He used the occasion to also introduce the Member of Parliament and the 2024 Parliamentary candidate for Gomoa Central, Naana Eyiah to the Apostle Safo and called for his support.
Dr. Prempeh was accompanied by the Central Regional Minister, Marygold Assan, deputy Minister for Local Government and Decentralisation and MP for Tafo, Vincent Ekow Essafuah, deputy Minister for the Interior, Naana Eyia, MP for Dome-Kwabenya and daughter of Apostle Safo, Sarah Adwoa Safo and the Central Regional executives of the party.
Embrace gov’t skills training programs
After the courtesy call, Dr. Prempeh addressed the Kristo Asafo Mission at a durbar to unveil their new constitution, where he extoled the critical role the church for its historical role in education and its continued support in various areas, including agriculture, manufacturing and philanthropy.
He praised the church’s innovative approaches, such as its annual Food, Technology and Charity Exhibition, which showcases farm produce and technological products and distributes them to the needy.
Dr. Prempeh highlighted the NPP’s commitment to skills training for young people, citing his own tenure as Education Minister, during which the government invested US$700 million in Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
He urged the congregation to leverage on government’s robust skills initiatives, particularly in technical, vocational education and training to better their lives.
“Ghana is blessed with a youthful and energetic population, willing to be trained and ready to work, which can address our youth unemployment challenges and help our young citizens lead sustainable lives”, he noted.
Dr. Prempeh assured the congregation that youth training and skills development which is cardinal of Dr. Bawmumia’s vision is what will provide the antidote for the rising unemployment in the country.
The Vice-Presidential candidate also stressed the need for inter-faith dialogue, citing his personal experiences growing up in a community where Christians and Muslims co-existed peacefully.
He expressed the NPP’s commitment to engaging with the church to build a society based on freedom and justice and charged them to vote massively for the party in the upcoming elections.
By Stephen Odoi-Larbi
