The NPP’s running mate, Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh (NAPO), has come out strongly in defense of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, asserting that he is entirely free from corruption and will remain so.
In a discussion with investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni, following the presentation of Azure’s latest book, Dr. Opoku Prempeh praised Dr. Bawumia’s integrity and genuine dedication to the country.
“The flagbearer I serve is not corrupt, he has never been corrupt, and he never will be,” Dr. Opoku Prempeh asserted.
"I serve a Flagbearer who is not corrupt and will not be corrupted by power" – Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh publicly defends Dr. Bawumia's credibility. #ElectionHQpic.twitter.com/v0lPYmczGZ
Manasseh Azure’s new publication, The President We Never Had, delves into the current administration’s various events, including allegations of corruption.
The book also features a chapter on Dr. Opoku Prempeh’s selection as the NPP running mate, highlighting the behind-the-scenes efforts involved.
During the book presentation, Manasseh Azure noted, “This book sheds light on some of the key events that have occurred in this government, from the early days of the administration to the present.”
Dr. Opoku Prempeh, pleased to receive the book, committed to reading it in full and sharing his perspective.
“I love reading, and I will definitely go through the entire book and share my thoughts with you. I’m also working on a few books to tell my story as Education Minister and Energy Minister,” he added.
The Energy Ministry has denied claims made by social media commentator Kevin Taylor regarding a contract involving Tullow, Kosmos, GNPC, and Petro SA.
Mr. Taylor alleged that Energy Minister Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) were involved in diverting $150 million in this transaction.
However, the Ministry has strongly rejected these allegations as baseless and without merit.
Responding to these accusations, the Minister’s press aide, Kofi Abrefa Afena, clarified in a statement that the Energy Ministry is not responsible for signing and approving contracts in the upstream petroleum sector.
Mr. Afena emphasized that the approval of the mentioned contract falls outside the jurisdiction of the Ministry.
He urged the public to disregard these false claims and view them with skepticism.
Furthermore, the Communications Specialist hinted that Dr. Prempeh may pursue legal action to address the damage to his reputation caused by Taylor’s allegations.
Energy Minister, Mathew Opoku Prempeh and Dome-Kwabenya MP, Sarah Adwoa Safo paid their final respects to the late Ghanaian fashion icon, Pokua Poku Moutiseb.
Clad in funeral-appropriate black and white attire, Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh and Adwoa Safo attended the church service at the Lashibi Funeral Home in Accra.
Former CEO of the Ghana Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors, Mr. Senyo Hosi, was also seen offering condolences to the grieving family.
The creative arts industry was represented by prominent figures such as John Dumelo, Cookietie, Jay Foley, and Jasmine Baroundi, among others.
Colleagues from Achimota School, led by NDC aspiring MP Clarence Amoatey, paid their respects and read a heartfelt tribute.
Pokua Moutiseb, known professionally as ‘Poqua Poku,’ passed away on February 14 at Lister Hospital shortly after giving birth.
The 42-year-old designer was laid to rest in a private ceremony on February 26, 2024, in Accra.
Survived by a husband and three children, her legacy in the Ghanaian fashion industry will be remembered.
Energy Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, accompanied by officials from the Petroleum Commission (PC), Bulk Energy Storage and Transportation Company (BEST), and GOIL PLC, embarks on a mission to Trinidad and Tobago. The aim is to learn from industry best practices, assess advanced technologies, and forge potential partnerships.
This initiative seeks to strengthen the connection between Ghana’s upstream and downstream petroleum sectors, with a focus on maximizing and retaining value. Dr. Opoku Prempeh, also Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, views Trinidad and Tobago’s extensive experience in hydrocarbon exploration, production, refining, and transportation as invaluable to Ghana’s industrialization agenda.
The visit involves tours of oil refineries, storage terminals, and transportation facilities, alongside discussions with government officials, industry leaders, and technical experts. The delegation’s recent stop at Lake Asphalt of Trinidad and Tobago (1978) Limited highlighted opportunities for collaboration, particularly in the manufacturing of bitumen emulsions.
Dr. Opoku Prempeh emphasized the goal of fostering knowledge exchange and collaboration for mutual benefit. The management of Lake Asphalt expressed eagerness to engage in a longstanding commercial partnership with Ghana for collective growth.
Beyond exploring advanced technologies, this visit aims to strengthen ties and collaboration between Ghana and Trinidad and Tobago’s energy sectors, paving the way for future cooperation and development.
A conferencefocused on exploring cutting-edge innovations in technology and policies for the sustainable development and transformation of the energy sector in Africa has been initiated at a high-level.
Dubbed the “Africa Energy Technology Conference”, it would converge, industry leaders, policymakers, researchers and innovators from across Africa to foster collaboration and innovation in the field of energy technology within the continent.
To be held on the theme: “Africa at the Forefront of Energy Technology and Policy Integration in a Just Energy Transition”, it would also serve as a platform for stakeholders to engage in insightful discussions, exchange ideas, and explore sustainable solutions to the challenges faced by the energy sector in Africa.
Spearheaded by Africa Energy Technology Centre(AETC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy, the three-day exhibition would take place in Accra from Tuesday, August 8 to Thursday, August 10, 2023.
The Special Guest of Honour for the event would be the President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, with other guest speakers, including the wife of the Vice-President, Samira Bawumia and the Minister of Energy, Mathew Opoku Prempeh, among other dignitaries.
Addressing participants at the launch of the conference in Accra, last Wednesday (June 21), the Deputy Minister of Energy, Herbert Krapa, stated that Africa’s energy challenges were not unknown to us, as we lacked the industrial base required to drive large-scale energy consumption at the cheapest prices.
Energy transition
Concerning the energy transition, he said the country was on a pathway towards transforming the global energy sector from fossil-based fuel to zero carbon by 2070.
However, we achieved a 2.4% Renewable Energy penetration and a 95 per cent conversion of thermal plants from liquid fuels to natural gas.
“In the midst of this, the demand for energy in Africa is rising, and will continue to rise, and if energy systems in Africa will grow to meet this rapidly growing demand, technology is the answer. Technology that is efficient, reliable, resilient and affordable is the answer,” he explained
Mr Krapa, thus, said that the conference was timely, as the continent could use it as an opportunity to open up new policy paradigms for the energy sectors.
“So as technology costs for renewables are going down and global investment is shifting, let us join forces to use technology for change,” he stated.
Transition
The Board Chair of AETC, Dr Thomas Manu, said in recent years, many countries, especially developing countries, were in talks about energy transition and Africa, which had its challenges in terms of quality, was crying out for a just energy transition.
That, he said, was because Africa could not transition as the developed countries; hence, the need for the continent to look out for homegrown technologies and the adaptation of other technologies to transition in a way that would not affect the economies of the participating nations while taking into consideration energy security and how to address energy poverty to actively industrialise to promote economic growth.
In a speech read on his behalf by a representative of AETC, a Deputy Director of Renewable and Nuclear Energy at the Ministry of Energy, Dr Robert Sogbadji, said the conference was to engage stakeholders within the continent to address the pertinent issue of what was available for Africa to transition successfully on its own terms.
The Founder of AETC, Emelia Akumah, also added that the conference will provide a unique platform for stakeholders to come together, share knowledge, and explore innovative solutions that can propel Africa to the forefront of energy technology and policy integration.
“Our aim is to facilitate a just and equitable energy transition that prioritises sustainability, inclusivity and economic growth for the African continent,” Ms Akumah added.
Energy Minister Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh says Ghana is ready to become the energy hub of the West African sub-region by leading the agenda for providing reliable and sustainable energy to stimulate socio-economic growth.
He made this known while speaking at North Africa and Europe Energy Exhibition and Conference (NAEPEC) still underway in Barcelona, Spain.
Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh said in order to achieve the vision of becoming the energy hub of the West African sub-region, the government has developed policies and strategies to ensure the smooth operations of the sector.
The Minister indicated further that the global energy transition presents Ghana and probably the entire globe, with an opportunity to improve on our existing policies and initiatives to foster the development of all sectors of our economies through the provision of affordable and reliable energy and importantly, improve on even the quality of the air we breathe.
Read His Statement Below
On Monday, 13th March, 2023, I asked investors and global energy decision makers gathered at this year’s North Africa and Europe Energy Exhibition and Conference (NAEPEC) still underway in Barcelona, Spain, to explore the several opportunities in Ghana’s energy sector for the mutual benefit of both Ghana and the investors.
Speaking on the topic: “Ghana’s current Energy Sector initiatives, the global energy transition, and opportunities available in Ghana’s near – term initiatives and projects”, the very first keynote speech of the conference, I indicated clearly, that Ghana stands as a beacon for the African continent with energy access of 88.75% and is ready to become the energy hub of the West African sub-region through leading the agenda for providing reliable and sustainable energy to stimulate socio-economic growth. This, I said, has made government develop policies and strategies to ensure the smooth operations of the sector.
I further rehashed that, the global energy transition presents Ghana and probably the entire globe, with an opportunity to improve on our existing policies and initiatives to foster the development of all sectors of our economies through the provision of affordable and reliable energy and importantly, improve on even the quality of the air we breathe.
Indeed, I also said that Ghana’s US$562.00 billion Energy Transition Framework aims to provide the optimal and sustainable pathway for fuel supply security, diversified energy mix and cost-efficient electricity generation with an estimated medium to long term average electricity generation tariff of US$4.5cents/kwh to accelerate the socio-economic development of Ghana
I told the gathering that, Ghana is endowed with critical metals such as lithium, manganese, iron ore, among others, which are essential for the manufacturing of clean energy technologies such as lithium-ion batteries for both power and e-mobility sectors. Ghana and the world as a whole, I said, must leverage on these resources to develop the needed green infrastructure and technologies through value creation along the entire mineral value chain.
As we continue to project Ghana positively on the international front, in the context of our abundant natural resources, strong democratic credentials, a tested Constitution and a thriving independent media landscape, backed by a sound legal and regulatory framework of the energy sector, I am optimistic that our engagements here will yield the needed results for the shared prosperity of our Ghanaians.
Energy Minister Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh has reaffirmed the government’s resolve to save the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) from collapse.
According to him, during the launch of the Revenue Protection Task Force, revenue leakages and unfavourable tariff regimes posed threats to the survival of the company.
“If NEDCo were selling maize, every month, it buys and transports 100 bags of maize to Tamale but is only able to account for 52 bags; in spite of this, it has to continue to go and buy another 100 bags in the next month. Clearly, Ndana, if this is not checked, sooner than later, we would not have any NEDCo in the area and by extension, there will be no national grid; I am very sure that that is the last thing we would wish for even our worst enemies,” Dr Opoku Prempeh said at the palace of the Overlord of Dagbon Yaa Naa Abdulai Andani.
Under the instruction of the Energy Ministry, the management of NEDCO is taking steps to plug revenue shortfalls, including the deployment of smart pre-payment meters, which are less prone to manipulation and power theft.
He noted that the predicament of NEDCO has been “further worsened by the current tariff regime which sells electricity to NEDCo at 50.28 GHp/kWh but enjoins them to sell the same energy to lifeline customers at 41.91 GHp/kWh. What aggravates their woes is that, of the 82.46% of their customers who are residential, as much as 46.81% are lifeline customers so their losses amass even before they start selling the power”.
While bemoaning the challenges being faced by NEDCO, the Energy Minister disclosed that a similar task force under the directive of the Ministry of Energy, the Electricity Company of Ghana, has made some significant loss recoveries.
He prevailed upon the Overlord to lend support to the task force to carry out its mandate in the area.
“Your Majesty, by this singular act, it is our humble view that you would be demonstrating the highest traditional support possible for this drive to ensure the sustainability of electricity distribution in the north. Ndana, furthermore, may I ask humbly, that as the Overlord of Dagbon, to whom we all defer, you kindly consider making a public statement in support of the mass installation of the pre-payment meters,” he added.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has stated that the John Mahama-led administration completed 46 E-Block projects.
This is in contrast to the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) claim that the Mahama administration only completed 29.
According to the NDC, the Education Ministry’s handing-over note states it clearly.
“The handing-over notes of the former Minister of Education under the NDC/Mahama government, the venerable Prof. Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang bears out this fact.”
The main opposition party in the country added that all these projects were properly furnished.
The party insists that all these facilities were inspected by the President, the Chiefs, community leaders and the media during the commissioning.
“Interestingly, the first Minister of Education of the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government, Mathew Opoku Prempeh is on public record to have said in 2017 that the NDC/Mahama government completed 46 Community Day Senior High Schools. This was widely reported by the media. The internet never forgets.”
“Post-facto this public admission by their own Minister of Education, the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government in a futile effort to distort the superior record of the NDC/Mahama government deceptively reclassified some completed E-Block projects as uncompleted, thereby reducing the total number to 29.
This so-called reclassification was largely done on the contrived and flimsy grounds that some of the 46 completed E-blocks had no furniture even though the physical structures had been fully completed.”
The party attached a list of Community Day Senior High Schools that were completed and/or commissioned by former President John Mahama before exiting the office.
Find the list below
1. Seventh Day CDSHS- Abease, Pru West
2. Dermaa CDSHS- Dermaa, Tano South
3. Lambusie CDSH- Lambussie District
4. Nchumuru CDSHS- Krachi
Nchumuru
5. Maame Krobo CDSHS- Kwahu, Afram Plains South
6. Kwabenya CDSHS- Ga East
7. Atta Mills CDSHS- Ekumfi Otuam
8. Nkwanta CDSHS- Nkwanta
9. Nyanoakwaboah CDSHS- Upper West Akyim, Adeiso
10. Adobewora CDSHS- Atwima Mponua
11. Adugyama CDSHS- Ahafo-Ano South
12. Bamiankor CDSHS- Bamiankor, Nzema East District
The president’s claims that his administration has built 1,800 kilometers of roads throughout the nation have been refuted by a road contractor with roots in Kumasi.
Mr Akwasi Yeboah said asphalt overlays are done on already existing roads and not wholly built roads in the country.
“It is the reason many Ghanaians contested they have not seen that number of roads as contained in the president’s State of the Nation Address (SONA),” he noted.
“In Kumasi alone, the Manhyia South Constituency with the Minister for Energy, Mathew Opoku Prempeh as the Member of Parliament (MP), was the largest beneficiary of the asphalt overlays,” Mr Yeboah put forth.
Giving a breaking down of the president’s assertion, Mr Yeboah said going by the president’s figures means that each of the 275 constituencies across the country should have at least 39 kilometres of roads.
“As we speak no such feat exists in many of these constituencies across the country,” he narrated.
“It is the reason many of the residents in Kwabre East, Barikese among others in the Ashanti Region demonstrated for not seeing anything in terms of roads in their respective areas,” he said.
He noted that 39 kilometres of roads can journey from the Kumasi-Suame roundabout to the Techiman area in the Bono Region.
Mr Yeboah made these revelations in an interview with Mr Emmanuel Quarshie (The Hitman), host of Accra 100.5 FM’s Ghana Yensom morning show on Tuesday, September 20, 2022.
“Mr Hitman, let me use your medium this morning to correct this notion that has been lingering all this while in relation to roads constructed by this government,” he said.
He commended the president for his quest in ensuring many of the asphalt overlays were done.
He was quick to add that in less than two years, potholes have begun to emerge on many of the roads thereby blaming his colleague contractors for not being forthright in their work.
He said 90 per cent of contractors in the country are not truthful with their jobs.
He added that the contractors did the same thing during John Mahama’s era by building the same asphalt overlays which have diminished.
He disclosed that many recent contractors are doing shoddy jobs compared to roads built in the days of former president J.J Rawlings.
“Some roads built in Rawlings’ era lasted more than 30 years but what are we seeing today? A road is built and in less than two years you start seeing pot holes.
“Many of these roads built by Nana Akufo-Addo are crying for repair works,” he said.
