The governing New Patriotic Party’s National Council yesterday unanimously endorsed the Presidential Candidate’s nomination of Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Member of Parliament for Manhyia South and Energy Minister, as the 2024 running mate.
The party’s General Secretary, Justin Frimpong Kodua, announced this after a National Council meeting at Alisa Hotel, Accra.
“The National Council of the NPP, which is the second highest decision-making organ of the party, met today, July 4, 2024, to, among other things, consider the nomination of Hon. Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh by H.E. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the party’s Presidential Candidate, as his Running Mate for the 2024 general elections. For the avoidance of doubt, the Article 10(3)(1) of the Constitution provides as follows: ‘The Party’s Presidential Candidate shall, in consultation with the National Council, nominate the Vice-Presidential Candidate’,” he reiterated.
Complete
The NPP General Secretary stressed that the milestone marked the completion of the presidential ticket of the party for the 2024 general elections.
Mr Frimpong Kodua added that it sets the stage for the party to fully engage the electorate comprehensively with its message of transformation.
“I wish to, at this juncture, say something little about our vice-presidential candidate, focusing primarily on what he brings to the NPP presidential ticket since he is not a stranger to the body politic of our country. Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh is a 56-year old medical doctor, a devoted Christian and a consummate politician,” he stated.
NAPO’s factor
Touching on what NAPO brings to the NPP presidential ticket, he mentioned that he is a bold, confident, hardworking and result-driven, in addition to qualities of decisiveness, grassroots mobilization, charisma, patriotism and demonstrable incorruptibility.
He added that NAPO is a leader with a clear track record of achievement, and shares Dr. Bawumia’s vision of “bold solutions” for the country that are responsive to the needs, opportunities and challenges of the 21st century.
“In this respect, he compliments our flagbearer in many significant ways, and the two enjoy a warm, personal relationship anchored in deep mutual respect,” he indicated.
Acceptance
In his acceptance speech, the NPP running mate said he was honoured to be nominated by Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and endorsed unanimously by the National Council of the NPP.
“I am privileged and duty-bound to extend my full support to Dr. Bawumia as we work together to realise his visionary agenda of propelling Ghana to greater heights. I view this nomination as part of God’s plan for my life, and I am grateful for His guidance in directing my path. I pray for His ongoing guidance as I move forward. I consider this nomination as a call to higher service, a call to sacrifice and a duty to perform,” NAPO said.
According to him, “the NPP is enriched with numerous astute personalities; therefore, I recognise the significance of my selection and do not take it lightly”.
He called upon all rank and file of the party to join hands as the party collectively strives to achieve its ambitious goal of transforming Ghana into a prosperous nation.
Appreciation
NAPO expressed gratitude to the National Council, party faithful and President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for their unwavering support and faith in me.
“I thank Mr. President again for the opportunity granted me to serve in two respected cabinet positions. I am forever grateful. I am equally grateful to my colleague Ministers of State and members of Parliament for the confidence reposed in me. It has prepared me for a day like this, and I feel ready to make everyone who believes in me proud and win over the doubters,” he indicated.
He added: “I understand that the task ahead requires our collective effort, and I, therefore, plead with every party member to come on board as we seek the mandate of our countrymen and women once again to serve them”.
Profile
Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh is a 56-year old medical doctor, a devoted Christian and a consummate politician. He is a product of Prempeh College and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology as well as the Erasmus University in The Netherlands.
It was at KNUST that he made his first appearance as a leader, after he won the position as the local National Union of Ghanaian Students (NUGS) President, a position he held from 1991 -1992.
After working with the National Health Service in the United Kingdom for some time, he returned to Ghana in 2005 to pursue a career in business and more importantly in politics.
He became the Member of Parliament for Manhyia in 2009. Ahead of the 2012 elections, the constituency was divided into two, and he won the newly-created Manhyia South constituency, which he retained in 2016.
Owing to his passion for education, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo appointed him as Minister of Education during his first term. As Education Minister, he spearheaded the implementation of the famous Free Senior High School policy.
Under Dr. Prempeh, the successful implementation of the government’s flagship Free Senior High School (FSHS) policy saw the country’s SHS population leap from 800,000 in 2016 to 1.2 million by January 2021 by removing cost barriers to senior high school education.
Having delivered at the Ministry of Education, the President appointed him during his second term to head the Ministry of Energy, where he, again, demonstrated his stellar leadership qualities.
Dr. Prempeh has been honoured by the University of Education Winneba, the University of Cape Coast and the University of Professional Studies, Accra with the conferment on him with honourary doctorate degrees.
In July 2021, he was invited to join the Mission 4.7 High-Level Advisory Group, a joint initiative of UNESCO, the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, the Ban Ki-Moon Center for Global Citizens and the Center for Sustainable Development (CSD) at Columbia University.
About The Author
