Energy Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, who was recently announced as the running mate of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has come under intense scrutiny, with the opposition National Democratic Congress listing what it terms the “sins” of NAPO, as he is affectionately called.
Mr. Benjamin Kofi Quashie, Chairman of NDC South Africa Council of Elders, speaking to a section of the media following the NPP National Executive Council’s endorsement of NAPO as Dr. Bawumia’s running mate, mentioned several negative attributes and past controversies which he said raise questions about his suitability for the vice presidential position.
Starting from his days as the Minister of Education, Mr. Quashie recalled the widespread criticism for Dr. NAPO’s handling of the education sector, noting that his tenure was marked by frequent clashes with teacher unions and stakeholders.
“All these were due to his confrontational leadership style. His approach created a hostile working environment, leading to strikes and disruptions that negatively impacted the education system,” he said.
He said the NPP running mate cannot extricate himself from the allegations of financial mismanagement whilst at the helm of affairs as the Minister of Education with regards to the procurement of educational materials at inflated prices like the purchasing of mathematical sets, and past questions papers, which he said raises doubts about NAPO’s financial prudence if he becomes the chairman of the Economic Management Team in future.
Mr. Quashie also mentioned the implementation of some controversial policies, which he claimed were poorly executed. He cited, for instance, the introduction of the double-track system in senior high schools, a policy he said was rushed through without putting proper structures in place leading to a decline in the quality of education.
Judging NAPO by his past utterances, Benjamin Quashie recalled comments by Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh to the effect that he would organize the people in the Ashanti region to demonstrate against his own government if budgetary allocation is made to cater for the devastating tidal wave situation in Keta in the Volta Region.
“How is he going to campaign in the Volta region after this tribalistic outburst? The vice president is supposed to act as the father of the nation in the absence of the President, so how can this person be trusted as a father for all. I really shudder for my people in the Volta region and other parts of the country,” Mr. Quashie said.
He also added his voice to critics who cited NAPO’s failure to recognise the recent power crisis by calling concerned Ghanaians as evils and asking people to draw their own dumsor timetable.
He further mentioned how the Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) was smuggled into basic education curriculum, among others as the running mate’s nemeses.
“See, NAPO’s tenure in various capacities has been marked by several controversies that question his suitability for the vice-presidential position. His unfortunate dumsor timetable pronoucement, the incident involving students defecating in polythene bags, the budgetary issues related to the Keta tidal wave disaster, and the introduction of pro-LGBTQ curriculum in basic schools have collectively painted a picture of a leader struggling to address critical issues effectively and empathetically.
“These negative attributes and incidents contribute to the narrative that Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh is a discredited person who lacks the necessary qualities and judgment required for the high office of vice president,” Mr. Benjamin Quashie asserted.