A pro-Adutwum group, Friends of Hon. Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum has launched a blistering attack on broadcast journalist and media commentator Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah over his endorsement of Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh (Napo) as the preferred running mate to partner the New Patriotic Party’s flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
The group described the journalist’s endorsement as “hypocritical, self-serving and lacking credibility,” questioning his moral authority to influence discussions on who should be selected as the party’s vice-presidential candidate.

According to the group, Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah has, on several occasions, publicly criticized and denigrated Dr. Bawumia on various media platforms, including allegedly describing him as an “empty” leader and casting doubt on his competence and political appeal.
“Having consistently attacked and undermined Dr. Bawumia, in the past, he cannot suddenly position himself as a credible voice on who should be chosen to complement the flagbearer,” the group stated.

Dr,Mathew Opoku Prempeh (Napo) Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah and Dr.Osei Yaw Adutwum

The Friends of Osei Adutwum argued that Dr. Adutwum, the former Minister for Education and Member of Parliament for Bosomtwe, remains the most suitable candidate to partner Dr. Bawumia in the upcoming elections, citing his track record in public service, appeal among the youth, strong educational reforms, and ability to broaden the party’s electoral fortunes.

The group further maintained that Dr. Adutwum possesses the intellectual depth, national appeal, and unifying character required to energize the party’s base while attracting undecided voters across the country.

They also took aim at the performance of Dr. Opoku Prempeh, arguing that he failed to meet public expectations in key sectors where he served as minister.
According to the group, despite occupying some of the most strategic ministerial positions in government, Dr. Napo’s tenure was marked by persistent controversies and policy challenges that generated public criticism and failed to produce the transformative impact many Ghanaians anticipated.
“We believe Dr. Bawumia deserves a running mate who can inspire confidence, attract floating voters and project competence, innovation, and humility. In our view, that person is Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum,” the group stressed.
The group, therefore, urged party delegates, supporters, and opinion leaders to focus on competence, electability, and national appeal rather than media campaigns aimed at promoting preferred candidates.

The Spokesperson for the Friends of Hon. Osei Adutwum, Kwasi Antwi, insisted that any decision on Dr. Bawumia’s running mate should be guided by what offers the party its strongest path to electoral victory and not by the personal preferences or political calculations of media personalities.
“The choice of a running mate is too important to be reduced to propaganda and personality-driven endorsements.

The NPP must prioritize merit, performance, and winning potential, and Dr. Adutwum stands ahead and shoulders above the rest,” the statement concluded.