The atmosphere at the Alisa Hotel was filled with pomp and pageantry as party stalwarts and supporters gathered joyfully to welcome Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh on Thursday, where his candidacy as running mate to Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia was confirmed.

Market women, predominantly from Makola, added to the celebratory mood by arriving in droves, balancing bunches of plantains and yams on their heads, singing and dancing in merry anticipation.

This event marks a significant milestone for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), with Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh officially endorsed as the vice-presidential candidate, signaling an intensification of the Party’s preparations for the upcoming 2024 general elections.

The endorsement, announced by NPP's General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, follows unanimous approval from the National Council, demonstrating a unified front as the Party gears up for the electoral battle ahead.

This decisive decision aligns with Article 13(3)(1) of the NPP Constitution, granting authority to the presidential candidate, in consultation with the National Council, to nominate a vice-presidential candidate.

Dr. Prempeh, nominated by Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, received overwhelming support, firmly securing his position as the running mate for the forthcoming elections.

Background

Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, affectionately known as Napo, brings a wealth of experience and a solid track record to the political landscape at the age of 56, particularly in the fields of education and energy.

His leadership journey from Prempeh College through Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) to Erasmus University in the Netherlands has been marked by dedication and achievement. Notably, his term as the local National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) President from 1991 to 1992 laid a strong foundation for his subsequent political career.

Returning to Ghana after his tenure with the National Health Service in the UK, Dr. Prempeh launched his political career in 2009 by becoming the Member of Parliament for Manhyia.


Following the division of the constituency in 2012, he successfully represented Manhyia South, securing re-elections in 2016 and 2020.

Dr. Prempeh’s tenure as Minister of Education under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s administration was notably marked by achievements such as the implementation of the Free Senior High School (FSHS) policy.

Despite initial skepticism, Dr. Prempeh's resolute leadership contributed to a significant increase in the SHS student population, from 800,000 in 2016 to 1.2 million by January 2021.

Below is the video:



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