Ignore Asiedu Nketia’s lies, I’ve never blocked UENR from obtaining a medical school – Napo

Energy Minister, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has rubbished an allegation that he blocked the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), Sunyani, from establishing a medical school during his tenure as Education Minister.

The National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu-Nketia made the allegation earlier this week.

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But, the press aide to the Minister, Kofi Afena Abrefa in a press release issued on Thursday, November 30, 2023, refuted Mr Asiedu-Nketia’s claim.

The Manhyia South MP stated that such decisions fall under the purview of the Ghana National Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), formerly the NCTE, and the National Accreditation Board, not the Education Ministry or the sector minister. He , therefore, urged Ghanaians to disregard the “political mischief” by Mr Asiedu-Nketia.

Read the full statement below:

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 Ghana Web 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.

Whilst this statement exposes the NDC National Chairman as not well informed on matters pertaining to the subject matter of tertiary education in Ghana, it is important to refute same in the following response:

1. For the education of Mr Asiedu Nketia, it is not the Minister for Education that approves and accredit programs and courses 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 stints at the Ministry of Education and remained in office throughout his time as Minister. Johnson Asiedu Nketia could have easily verified this from him.

2. There was no time, during the tenure of Dr Prempeh that, a decision to establish a Medical School as alluded to by Mr Nketia came before Dr Prempeh even for his opinion, let alone approval. The processes for establishing Universities and the accreditation of Programmes and Courses have never been a ministerial decision

3. From the foregoing, Mr Asiedu Nketia will be pardoned 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 ab-initio because the facts speak for themselves

4. The general public is thus advised to reject outrightly, these uninformed claims by the NDC National Chairman, treating them with the total contempt they deserve