Accra:Former Education Minister Matthew Opoku Prempeh has praised the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) 2016 manifesto, calling it the best education-focused manifesto due to its vision for developing productive citizens and enhancing technical and vocational education in Ghana.
According to Ghana Web, Dr. Opoku Prempeh, also known as NAPO, highlighted the manifesto's distinctiveness during a forum at the University of Professional Studies Accra. He noted that the 2016 manifesto was superior to subsequent ones, including those for the 2020 and 2024 elections, which he helped shape.
Dr. Opoku Prempeh emphasized the importance of a comprehensive education, energy, and sustainability policy, stating that his in-depth review of the 2016 proposals impressed him during his tenure as Education Minister. While he contributed to the 2020 and 2024 manifestos, he maintained that they did not match the 2016 document in quality.
He stressed that the 2016 manifesto's strength lay in its focus on preparing citizens with the knowledge, values, and skills essential for national development. He advocated for technical and vocational education to become a key part of the country's educational system to address the shortage of skilled workers.
Furthermore, he argued for the need to train professionals who can add value to Ghana's natural resources, reducing the country's reliance on raw material exports.