Matthew Opoku Prempeh, known as NAPO, was born on May 23, 1968, in Ashanti New Town, Kumasi.
He is a prominent Ghanaian medical doctor and politician, currently serving as the Minister of Energy and has been a Member of Parliament for the Manhyia South Constituency since 2008, representing the New Patriotic Party (NPP). Prempeh hails from Pakyi No. 2 in the Ashanti Region, attended KNUST Primary School and Prempeh College, and studied Human Biology and Medicine at KNUST, earning his MB CHB in 1994.
He also holds an MSc in Clinical Epidemiology from the Netherlands Institute of Health Sciences and completed leadership training at Harvard’s Kennedy School. He trained in surgery in the UK (MRCS) in 2002. Before politics, Prempeh was CEO of Keyedmap Security Services Limited and a practicing medical doctor, a member of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of the UK.
Elected in 2008, he has consistently represented Manhyia South, serving on the Health and Appointments Committees. As Minister of Education (2017-2021), he improved educational infrastructure, promoted TVET, and led the “Free SHS” program. In 2021, he was appointed Minister of Energy. He serves on the Defense and Interior Committee and the Appointments Committee.
His accolades include being named Ghana’s best Minister in 2017 and 2019 and receiving the 2020 Harvard Ministerial Medal of Achievement and honorary doctorates from the University of Education, Winneba, and the University of Professional Studies, Accra.
The University of Cape Coast recently recognized his contributions. A Christian and grandson of former President John Kufuor, Prempeh is active in his community. For his 54th birthday in May 2022, the Friends of NAPO group donated educational materials to local schools, and on June 17, 2023, Prempeh College named a dormitory block in his honor. It is rumored he may be appointed as Dr. Bawumia’s running mate for the 2024 general elections.
Source; ghanaremembers.com
