Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh has emerged as the frontrunner for the enviable NPP running mate slot.
Matthew Opoku Prempeh, currently the Energy Minister, made a name for himself as the Minister of Education who led the implementation of the Free SHS Policy.
What makes him special?
Over the years, vice-presidential candidates are seen as the brains needed to complement the presidential candidate.
The competence of the person is key. In the case of Dr. Opoku Prempeh, we can assess him in two key areas: Education and Energy.
Education Ministry:
As the Education Minister, Matthew Opoku Prempeh became the focal person for the implementation of the Free SHS, and that earned him a lot of plaudits. The shoddy implementation of the program has been highlighted, but it has done little damage to his reputation because the program enjoys a massive amount of goodwill.
Energy Ministry:
Napo is currently the Minister of Energy; his job includes providing Ghanaians with stable electricity. Recent power outages and the failure to implement a load shedding to help people plan their lives have left many disappointed in the government’s handling of the crisis.
In spite of these challenges, Matthew Opoku Prempeh’s political capital keeps rising; he is hardly blamed for this nor is he called out to do the right thing.
He has handled two sectors; Free SHS was simply implemented as: “all of you go to school, we will pay.” There was no innovation, there was no preparation for the challenges it would pose. I say this because at least I wrote to the ministry on how to implement it.
I may not have made much sense, but I had enough interest to the point of communicating an alternative solution to government. I’ll share a copy of what I wrote later. All I am saying is, the manner the Free SHS was handled does not in any way inspire confidence in the competence of Napo. Good program, poor implementation.
The manner the energy crisis is being handled further exposes him as a not-so-savvy a person to be held this high by a party like the NPP.
So why is he this popular?
The same Free SHS implemented poorly
He has the looks and personality
He is an Asante
Maybe it could be a popular political choice in terms of appeasing the stronghold, but in terms of governance, he brings nothing of significant note to make the table of Bawumia better.
Kofi Kyei
