A medical practitioner hailing from the lineage of Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu’s carriers, known as the Apagya Royals, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh emerges as the very first Member of Parliament from the Ashanti Region to be designated as a running mate. Nana Poku, fondly referred to as NAPO, is 56 years of age. Born to Oheneba Kwame Kyeretwie and Madam Elizabeth Akosua Nyarko, NAPO’s father was one of the numerous children of the 14th Asantehene, Otumfuo Agyemang Prempeh II.
Oheneba Kwame Kyeretwie served as Apagyahene of Manhyia Palace for more than four decades until his passing on 23rd June, 2013. NAPO’s connection with Manhyia Palace is deeply ingrained in his upbringing and has been a pivotal facet of his identity, both personally and politically.
As a direct descendant of Asante royalty, NAPO carries the weight of his ancestral responsibilities. Nana Kwabena Mensah, aged 72, witnessed Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh’s growth from childhood. He remarked that NAPO has demonstrated his competence in executing assigned tasks and delivering successful outcomes.
“I am dazzled by his sheer sense of self- awareness and respect for leadership. I observed that every time, he respects everybody he is working or dealing with,” he said.
In 2007, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh emerged victorious in the NPP’s primary election for the Manhyia Constituency and subsequently triumphed in the 2008 parliamentary election. Despite the division of Manhyia into north and south, NAPO successfully retained control of the south, a position he has held since 2012. NAPO succeeded Ghana’s former Defence Minister, Dr. Kwame Addo Kufour, and has served as a legislator for the current Manhyia South Constituency for 16 years.
Due to his fervent dedication to education, President Akufo-Addo appointed him as the Minister of Education during his initial term. In his role as the Minister of Education, NAPO played a pivotal role in the implementation of the renowned Free Senior High School policy. Presently, he holds the esteemed position of Energy Minister, overseeing energy policy development, formulation, monitoring, implementation, and evaluation of activities within the energy sector.
His primary rival in the upcoming 2024 elections will be the vice-presidential candidate of the NDC, Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, who previously served as the Minister of Education during the NDC’s time in power.His nomination as the vice-presidential candidate for the NPP is widely regarded as a strategic move that deeply resonates with the people of the Ashanti Region.
He is an alumnus of Prempeh College and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, both located in Kumasi, as well as the Erasmus University in the Netherlands.It was during his time at KNUST that he emerged as a leader, securing the position of the local National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) President, a role he occupied from 1991 to 1992.
Prof Otchere Addai Mensah, the Chief Executive Officer of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, who was NAPO’s contemporary at Prempeh College and collaborated with him during his tenure as the National Vice President of UTAG, is of the opinion that NAPO is a high achiever.
“I was at KNUST and was the National Vice-President of UTAG. I have dealings, working relations with him, both directly and indirectly. In all these occasions he comes across as assertive, bold, supportive and empathetic.
He speaks his mind just like I do. He is not a saint. He has his flaws just like all of us do. But, I believe that he is a performer, doer, and at any point in time he is the person I can call on.
I have no doubt, his works at Energy and Education ministries will speak volumes about his abilities to deliver,” Dr Addai Mensah said.
