The Director of Research and Innovation at Kumasi Technical University, Prof. Smart Sarpong, has advised the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to retain Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh (NAPO) as running mate to Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, unless there is a compelling reason to replace him.
Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, Prof. Sarpong cautioned that changing a running mate without strong justification could slow down the campaign, as a new candidate would require time to adjust to the political landscape, regardless of experience.
He noted that the party delayed in naming a running mate during the previous election cycle and warned against repeating the same mistake.
According to him, the process of selecting and integrating a new running mate can be stressful and time-consuming—time that could otherwise be spent intensifying grassroots campaigning.
Prof. Sarpong advised that if Dr Bawumia sees no major issue with his former running mate, he should retain him and provide proper guidance to address any challenges.
He stressed the need for the campaign to remain focused and active, urging the party not to underestimate the importance of early and continuous engagement with voters.
“If there aren’t any significant reasons to change the former running mate, they should consider keeping him. A new candidate would likely face challenges in navigating the new terrain, regardless of their political experience. It’s important to stay focused and accountable every day. Don’t underestimate the need for ongoing campaigning,” he added.
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