Energy Minister and former Minister for Education, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has refuted claims made by the National Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia.
The NDC Chairman alleged in a Ghana Web publication on November 30, 2023, that Dr. Prempeh, during his tenure as Education Minister, blocked the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) in Sunyani from obtaining approval for a medical school.
Dr. Prempeh, popularly referred to as NAPO, in a statement, dismissed the claims, asserting that the NDC National Chairman is not well-informed on tertiary education matters in Ghana.
Dr. Prempeh clarified key points in his rebuttal:
“For the education of Mr. Asiedu Nketia, it is not the Minister for Education that approves and accredits programs and courses in universities. This is a function of the Ghana National Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), formerly the NCTE and the National Accreditation Board. The Executive Director, Prof. Salifu, an appointee of former President Mahama, predated Dr. Prempeh’s stints at the Ministry of Education and remained in office throughout his time as Minister. Johnson Asiedu Nketia could have easily verified this from him.”
“There was no time, during the tenure of Dr. Prempeh that, a decision to establish a Medical School as alluded to by Mr. Nketia came before Dr. Prempeh even for his opinion, let alone approval. The processes for establishing Universities and the accreditation of Programmes and Courses have never been a ministerial decision.”
Dr. Prempeh expressed understanding for any genuine ignorance on Nketia’s part but raised concerns about potential mischief and propaganda against him, especially in the context of the electioneering campaign season.
He emphasized that the facts speak for themselves.
The Energy Minister called on the general public to reject Nketia’s claims outright, treating them with the total contempt they deserve.