NAPO SHOOTS DOWN ASIEDU NKETIA’S UENR MEDICAL SCHOOL PROPAGANDA2 min read
The Minister of Energy, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has responded to allegations made by the National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, that he blocked the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) in Sunyani from getting a medical school while he was at the Education Ministry.
He stated, among others, that there was no time while he was at the Ministry of Education that a decision to establish a Medical School at UENR was brought before him.
The response was issued on behalf of the Minister by his Press Aide, Kofi Abrefa Afena, on Thursday, November 30.
“Energy Minister and former Minister for Education, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh popularly known as NaPo has become aware of statements attributed to National Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in a GhanaWeb publication of 30th November, 2023, to the effect he as Education Minister, blocked the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), Sunyani from obtaining a medical school,” the response opened.
It said the allegations only expose NDC’s National Chairman as “not well informed on matters pertaining to the subject matter of tertiary education in Ghana”.
The former Education Minister, first of all, stressed that it is not his mandate to approve or accredit programmes and course in universities.
“This is a function of the Ghana National Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), formerly the NCTE and the National Accreditation Board.
“The Executive Director, Prof Salifu, an appointee of former President Mahama, predated Dr Prempeh’s stint at the Ministry of Education and remained in office throughout his time as Minister. Johnson Asiedu Nketia could have easily verified this from him.”
He called for pardon for the NDC National Chairman “for a genuine ignorance on the subject matter”.
“However, if it was borne out of mischief and propaganda against the person of Dr Prempeh, given the electioneering campaign season, then it is dead ad-initio because the facts speak for themselves.”
He urged the public to reject the “uninformed claims” and treat them with the contempt they deserve.
