Following the unveiling of its presidential ticket on Tuesday, the Vice-President  and NPP Flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, and his running mate, Dr  Matthew Opoku-Prempeh(NAPO), yesterday hit the ground running with serious campaign ahead of the December presidential and parliamentary  elections.

While Dr Bawumia was in the northern part of the country meeting the  electorate at the community level, NAPO was also in the Western Region  holding engagements with traditional authorities, and interacting with the  people.

Dr Opoku Prempeh’s first visit was to the Chairman of the Western Regional  House of Chiefs and the Omanhene of Wassa Amenfi Traditional Council. He also visited the paramount chief of the Upper Dixcove Traditional Area,  Obrempong Hima Dekyi XIV.

At the Wassa Amenfi Traditional Council, Dr. Opoku Prempeh expressed  gratitude to the Omanhene, and for his prayers for him and the flagbearer as  they crisscross the country, seeking the electorate’s vote.

“For me, I have always held that there should be a perfect relationship between  the political class and traditional authority. I am committed to this more because  that is the vision of Dr. Bawumia,” NAPO said.

In response, the Omanhene assured the NPP vice-presidential candidate that he  and his chiefs would continue to pray for him and Dr. Bawumia for their dreams  to become a reality.

“I am grateful that right after your outdooring you are here to pay homage. It is  a testament of your reverence to me and traditional authority. Keep your focus  as we also pray for you and Dr. Bawumia,” the chief assured.

He added, “I am grateful that right after you were outdoored, my palace is your  first point of call. Those who say the things they say about you don’t know you,  and so don’t worry. It is said that if you want to test the intelligence of people,

intentionally lie against them. I urge you to keep your focus as we continue to  pray for your dream and that of Bawumia to come to pass soon.”

At the Upper Dixcove Traditional Area, Obrempong Hima Dekyi XIV praised  NAPO for leading the successful implementation of the NPP’s flagship Free  Senior High School Policy. According to Obrempong, the energy with which the  policy was implemented makes him the best person to support Dr. Bawumia’s  selfless leadership and bold solutions for the future agenda.

“At first, we used to receive numerous requests from people seeking support for  their wards, but now because of this huge relief, we are no longer burdened. I  believe you have what it takes to support Dr. Bawumia, and so we are solidly  behind you as Ahanta man,” he said.

In the northern part of the country, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia also visited  Nayiri’s Palace in Nalerigu to seek the blessings of the king of Mamprugu  before touring the North East Region. He toured the Nalerigu/Gambaga, Yunyoo  and Bunkpurugu constituencies.

At Nayiri’s Palace, Dr. Bawumia shared his vision and policies for Ghana, and received their suggestions. He indicated that his government, if elected, will pay  allowances to chiefs. He said his manifesto committee would come out with a  policy for chiefs to be paid an allowance they can live on to enable them to  discharge their duties effectively.

“The Manifesto Committee is coming with a recommendation that will soon be  unveiled. We will pay the chiefs’ living allowances they can live on because we  want you to have the resources that you can work,” Dr. Bawumia said.

For his part, the Overlord of Mamprugu Ndugna, Nayiri Naa Bohugu Abdulai  Sheriga, thanked Dr Bawumia for the visit. He expressed strong belief in the  ability of Dr. Bawumia to successfully make Ghana better, should he become  President.

“I am deeply persuaded that you have it in you to carry out the task ahead. And  you have my full support,” said the Nayiri. “You can rise to the challenge, and

uphold the good name of Ghana and make her greater and stronger,” he  indicated.