We have sighted a news item published by various online portals in which the Minister of Energy and Member Of Parliament for the Manhyia South Constituency, Hon. Matthew Opoku Prempeh is alleged to have accused Journalists in Kumasi of taking money to make NPP unpopular. 

It is very unfortunate that a senior member of the Akufo-Addo government will make such baseless allegations against the media fraternity in Kumasi without backing his claim with anything of evidential value.We believe such unguarded commentary is unbefitting of a person of his caliber.

Sadly, this blistering attack on the press was made in the presence, and with the express approval of President Akufo-Addo, a man who touts himself as a defender of Press Freedom and protector of free speech.

Need Napo be reminded that the dipping popularity of the New Patriotic Party in the Ashanti Region - which they tout as their political stronghold, is not a creature of the media but as a result of the unpopular economic policies of the Bawumia-led Economic Management Team and the crass incompetence of the Akufo-Addo government? 

Journalists, just like Ghanaians in general, go to the market to buy foodstuffs. They go to the petrol station to buy fuel. So they are living witnesses of the harsh living conditions that the people of Kumasi have had to endure as a result of the misrule of the Akufo-Addo government. Their critique of the Akufo-Addo government therefore reflects the general feeling of the people of Kumasi.

We understand the frustration of Mr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, a wannabe running mate on the Presidential ticket of the New Patriotic Party. Watching the Ashanti Region which he is using as a bargaining chip to get onto the 2024 Presidential ticket of the NPP slip away through his fingers can be very depressing. But that does not warrant his throwing of puerile and unsubstantiated allegations against the media, who are discharging their duties as the fourth estate of the realm.

 Mr. Opoku Prempeh must blame his lame duck government for the cold reception President Akufo-Addo has received on his 4-day working visit to the Ashanti Region and not the media fraternity who are only playing their gatekeeping role.

Signed;

Abass Nurudeen 

ARCO