Matthew Opoku-Prempeh, popularly known as NAPO, has confirmed that he was invited by the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) in relation to his time as Minister of Education under the erstwhile Nana Akufo-Addo administration.
According to the former cabinet minister and 2024 Vice Presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), he has already honoured the invitation and provided the requested information to the state’s investigative agency.
Speaking in an interview with 1957 News, which has since circulated widely on social media, Dr Opoku-Prempeh explained that he submitted himself willingly to the investigation as a responsible citizen and former public official. “As for accountability, nobody can escape it,” he stated.
“People don’t know that I’ve been invited by the NIB to assist in investigations into some issues during my time at the Ministry of Education. I couldn’t have declined that invitation.”
He added that he had appeared before the Bureau on two occasions, and despite not recalling every detail from his time in office, he cooperated fully with investigators. “I’ve forgotten some of the issues; I can’t remember everything that happened while I was in office. That is why we have technocrats and others who assist in running the ministry and keep records. For the issues I clearly remember, I spoke to them during the invitation,” he explained.
Dr Opoku-Prempeh underscored the importance of transparency and humility in public service, advising current political leaders to act with integrity while in office. “I always say that those of us in politics should know that no condition is permanent. Today, you can be in power; the next day, you could be in opposition. So politicians in power should always be mindful of what they do with the authority entrusted to them, so that if they are asked to account for their stewardship tomorrow, they can easily do so.”
The former education minister, who contested as running mate to Dr Mahamudu Bawumia in the last general election, said he spent an entire day at the NIB and might be called again for further engagements. “I have spent my whole day today at the NIB, and I may go there again tomorrow,” he said.
Dr Opoku-Prempeh's comments come at a time when the NIB is reportedly intensifying investigations into activities of key officials from the previous administration. Other prominent individuals, including Professor Ameyaw Ekumfi and former National Service Authority Deputy Director of Operations Kwaku Ohene Gyan, have also been invited for questioning.
The NIB has not released a formal statement on the ongoing investigations, but sources indicate that the probes focus on administrative decisions and expenditures during the tenure of former government appointees.
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