Hon. Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, The Best Appointee In The President Nana Akufo-Addo's Government: Education Sector In Perspective

Hon. Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh (NAPO) is a medical doctor by profession, member of parliament (MP) for Manhyia South Constituency in the Ashanti Region, former Education Minister and current Minister responsible for Energy. He has demonstrated that he is competent and innovative in handling any task given to him. He has also served his constituents diligently and to the best of his ability.

The success story of 'The Almighty' Free Senior High School (FSHS) policy cannot be told without mentioning the name of Hon. NAPO. FSHS policy is a policy well implemented despite the doubts opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) had about it. With their mindset of impossibilities, they thought because they couldn't feed SHS students in the Northern part of Ghana, NPP government under Nana/Bawumia could not offer free education for all SHS students in Ghana. However, under the abled leadership of Hon. NAPO, the unprecedented, if you like, the flagship FSHS policy has been implemented to the benefit of estimated 2.2 million students across the country so far. It started with over 400,000 students in 2017. The burdens of relief the FSHS policy has granted the parents/guardians of the beneficiary students is indescribable. The FSHS policy is generally successful evidenced by the much improved West Africa Secondary School Certificate Examination's (WASSCE) results over the years.

Under the leadership of Hon. NAPO at the Education Ministry, Basic Education Certificate Examination's (BECE's) fees were absorbed and parents/guardians do not pay for their wards' BECE fees any longer. The government under Nana/Bawumia has taken up the cost and parents/guardians are being relieved of that burden.

Under the leadership of Hon. NAPO, the country witnessed unprecedented recruitment of teachers across the country and at all levels of the education sector. It must be noted that under former President John Mahama, there was a freeze on employment and many graduates were sitting at home without jobs. The education sector employed numerous unemployed backlogged graduates Mr. John Mahama could not perform magic to employ. This massive recruitment in the Education Ministry cannot be mentioned without acknowledging the very competent and innovative Hon. NAPO.

Ghanaians witnessed the mess caused by former President John Mahama in the education sector where common chalk was not available to facilitate teaching and learning at the various basic and second cycle schools. Under the leadership of the abled Hon. NAPO, such embarrassing occurrences are the thing of the past.

We cannot also acknowledge the contributions of Hon. NAPO at the Education Ministry without mentioning the unprecedented infrastructural development across the country in the basic, second cycle and tertiary institutions. Under his leadership, the various existing SHS for example saw massive infrastructural development spanning from classroom blocks, dormitories, laboratories, libraries, dinning halls among others. The education sector equally saw establishment of new SHS across the country with much improved infrastructure. When we are commenting on infrastructure, the 29 completed E - Blocks under former President John Mahama would not even come into play at all. This government is building well equiped real brand new secondary schools but not E - blocks.

There are a lot of contributions that one can continue to project in the education sector under the leadership of Hon. NAPO. This is evident by the numerous awards and honours he has been receiving from institutions across the country and beyond due to his sterling performance at the Education Ministry alone. Hon. Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh's recent recognition for the great service he rendered at the Ministry of Education was honour of Honorary Fellowship by the Chartered Institute of Human Resource Management (CIHRM), Ghana. It indicated it was “in recognition of your contribution, supporting the Institute attain its charter in 2020, as Minister for Education, leading to the coming into force of the CIHRM Act, Act 1020”. The citation says it all.

Hon. Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh is undoubtedly replicating the same competent and innovative performance at the Energy Ministry as well. I have no doubt that he will continue to receive many awards and honours in the coming days, weeks, months and years due to his dedicated service to mother Ghana. When you see a man destined for greatness, you will definitely know. There is no wonder Hon. Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh is highly tipped to partner the NPP flagbearer H. E. Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to face the NDC and the incompetent dead goat in the 2024 general elections. It is possible together. In Shaa Allah

Thank you
Alhaji Salifu Hadara
A Patriot
Nalerigu Gambaga Constituency
North East Region
[email protected]
26/11/23