Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh
Education Minister Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh has become a proud recipient of the prestigious Harvard Ministerial Medal of Achievement award for the year 2020.
The enviable accolade is in recognition of Dr. Prempeh, aka Napo, for his extraordinary and insightful leadership in strengthening public education in Ghana since he became a minister in 2017.
The Harvard Ministerial Medal Achievement award is presented annually by the Harvard Ministerial Leadership Program to one of its alumni for excelling in its fields of work in their country.
Among the numerous intelligent alumni of the Harvard Ministerial Program across the globe, Napo, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Manhyia South, was picked ahead of the rest.
A citation dated June 4, 2020 and signed by Michael R. Sinclair, PhD, Executive Director, Harvard Ministerial Leadership Program, congratulated Napo on his unique achievements.
“Each year the Harvard Ministerial Leadership Program selects one of its alumni for special recognition and stellar progress towards achieving priority goals during their term in office.
“Specific criteria include insightful leadership, clarity of purpose, consistent commitment to the goals and tangible benefits for citizens from the minister’s efforts,” part of the citation read.
“I am delighted to inform you that you have been selected as the 2020 recipient of the Harvard Ministerial Medal of Achievement in recognition of your work over the past four years towards strengthening public education in Ghana.
“I convey the congratulations of the Harvard Ministerial Program team and Advisory Board,” the citation, which virtually highlighted Napo’s extraordinary works in the education sector, indicated.
In conclusion, the Harvard Ministerial Leadership Program team and Advisory Board expressed their worry about their inability to present the award to Napo in person now due to the Covid-19 pandemic, saying “we hope to have the opportunity soon.”
Napo is the main architect of the famous free Senior High School (SHS) social intervention programme, which has helped thousands of students from poor homes to get the chance to experience secondary school education.
The Manhyia South Lawmaker, who is widely described as a development-oriented person, has over the years received numerous top international and local awards, including Ghana’s Best Minister.
FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi