Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, popularly known as NAPO, was born on 23rd May 1968 in Kumasi, Ashanti New Town. He is from Pakyi No. 2 with strong royal lineage. His father, Oheneba Kwame Kyeretwie, was a child of the 14th Asantehene, and NAPO is also cousin to ex-President John Agyekum Kufuor. All these strong traditional roots have provided him social capital as well as a strong sense of leadership responsibility.

Academic Excellence and Medical Education

NAPO began his academic career at the KNUST Primary School and attended Prempeh College for high school. He pursued Human Biology and Medicine (MB ChB) at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and graduated in 1994.

You may also like: Kennedy Agyapong Biography: From Bronx Taxi Driver to Ghanaian Business Mogul and Political Powerhouse

He continued to the Erasmus University in the Netherlands to obtain an MSc in Clinical Epidemiology in 1998.

He then went on to study surgery and was admitted to membership of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow in 2002. He also underwent leadership training at the Harvard Kennedy School, further equipping him for public service.

Transition from Medicine to Business

Dr. Prempeh worked at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital from 1995 to 1997. He continued to advance his career in medicine in the UK prior to returning to Ghana in 2003. Upon return, he ventured into business and founded Keyedmap Security Services Ltd. and served as its CEO from 2004 to 2009. His combination of clinical experience and business management was the stepping stone into national service.

Political Career and Parliamentary Legacy

Prempeh entered politics in 2008 and was elected Member of Parliament for the Manhyia Constituency. After constituency delimitation, he continued as MP for Manhyia South from 2012. He was elected again in 2012, 2016, and 2020, with the latter on a massive 87.17% of the votes cast.

At Parliament, he was a member of the Appointments Committee and the Defence and Interior Committee. He was also appointed the New Patriotic Party's Director of Elections in 2012. His efficiency and dependability in parliamentary work earned him recognition both in and outside the party.

Ministerial Achievements and Reforms

Minister of Education (2017–2021)
Appointed as Minister of Education by President Nana Akufo-Addo, Dr. Prempeh was instrumental in the successful implementation of the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy. Through his tenure, the enrollment of public SHSs rose from around 800,000 to over 1.2 million pupils. He also spearheaded reforms in curriculum development, teacher certification, and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). 

Minister of Energy (2021–2024)
As Energy Minister, NAPO focused on achieving universal power access and expanding power distribution infrastructure. He renegotiated the power purchase deals to reduce costs and reactivated local projects like the Cylinder Manufacturing Company. He also prioritized clean energy solutions and financed the Energy Sector Recovery Programme for long-term sustainability.

Awards and National Recognition

Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh received numerous awards for his work. In 2023, he received an Honorary Fellowship from the Chartered Institute of Human Resource Management (CIHRM). He also holds honorary doctorates from UEW, UPSA, and UCC.

Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh received the Harvard Ministerial Medal of Achievement in 2020 and Ghana's Best Minister in 2017 and 2019. These awards are in honor of his leadership role in education and energy sectors.

2024 Vice-Presidential Candidate
In July 2024, Dr. Prempeh was formally selected by NPP presidential candidate Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as the Vice-Presidential Running Mate in the 2024 general election. His selection was seen as strategic with the combination of regional cover, administrative expertise, and policy accomplishment.

Personal Life and Community Involvement

NAPO is a born-again Christian and committed family man. He has firm roots in his community and old school. In 2023, he donated a fully furnished dormitory to Prempeh College and often finances educational facilities in his constituency. His humility and generosity keep winning the hearts of Ghanaians on both sides of the political divide.

NAPO sees empowerment of young people, education, energy reform, and development.