NAPO made 'the most foolish and clueless statement' - Diaspora Progressive Movement

The Diaspora Progressive Movement, have called for the resignation of the Education Minister Mattew Opuku Prempeh, blasting him for making "the most foolish and clueless statement".

It says the Minister has exhausted all his options to fix the numerous challenges facing the education sector after he accused former President Mahama and the NDC for being the brain behind last Monday's confusion at the Independence square over School placement.

The Education Minister, after some confusion at the Black Star square, accused the Mahama and the NDC for "bussing people to the place to create an artificial discomfort for the government".

But his statement has been widely condemned by the DPM, saying "couldn’t go beyond politics and deal with the issue at stake".

In a media release sighted by ghanaguardian.com, the MP for Manhyia South should have been fired long time ago if Ghana has a serious President.

"We see this as the most foolish and clueless statement coming from the sector Minister," a statement signed by the convenor Dr. Lawrence said.

"He lacks the foresight and the solutions to bring Ghana’s education to the level where both parents and students can be proud of."

The DPS wants the minister to "apologize, resign or be fired.

Below is the statement:

Press Conference by the Diaspora Progressive Movement on the Minister of Education:

Dr. Matthew Opoku-Prempeh Must Go

Good morning Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press. We have called you here this morning to add our voice to the numerous calls for the President to fire the Education Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku-Prempeh. We think Dr. Opoku-Prempeh has exhausted all his options to fix the numerous challenges facing the education sector and his continues stay at the Ministry is not doing the nation any good.

We believe that the NPP continues to vote for Dr. Opoku-Prempeh as the best Minister in the Akufo-Addo’s government so as to cover up the failures in the implementation of the Free SHS policy. It is like Dr Opoku- Prempeh, the one-eyed man, is the hero amongst blind, hopeless and clueless Ministers.

As recent as last week, we saw the confusion that happened at the independent square in which both children and parents were struggling to find placement for their kids. Dr. Opoku-Prempeh didn’t see the problem at hand. What he rather saw was John Mahama and the NDC bussing people to the place to create an artificial discomfort for the government. We see this as the most foolish and clueless statement coming from the sector Minister. He couldn’t go beyond politics and deal with the issue at stake. These are some of the reasons that make us to believe that Dr. Opoku-Prempeh has outlived his useless at the Ministry of Education. If he will not apologize to Ghanaians and resign, the President, who was sold to us as a no-nonsense man, must fire him immediately.

On a program on Asempa FM, Dr. Opoku-Prempeh said the Textile Manufacturing Companies told him that they would like to import the materials for the new school uniforms from China. At a separate interview with an executive member of the textile companies on the same radio station, the man denied that claim and challenged Dr. Opoku-Prempeh to call on the show and tell him which textile company told him that. It was very clear the Minister of Education lied to the people of Ghana.

On another occasion, when the people of Ghana complained about lack of toilets in their schools, this same Dr. Opoku-Prempeh told them to “do it” in polytene bags and throw them away. He added that those children were even lucky to have polytene bags. The NPP like Dr. Opoku-Prempeh so much because he still talks and behaves like in his school days, where he didn’t think before saying something or acting.

We believe Dr. Opoku-Prempeh should have been fired long time ago if Ghana has a serious President, who knows what he is doing. Dr. Opoku-Prempeh has reduced the running of his ministry to jokes and the implementation of the Free SHS tells it all. He lacks the foresight and the solutions to bring Ghana’s education to the level where both parents and students can be proud of. We as members of the Diaspora Progressive Movement think Dr. Matthew Opoku-Prempeh has outlived his uselessness at the Ministry of Education, and he must apologize, resign or be fired. We think he will better serve in one of the hospitals as a Dentist, which is his real profession.
Thank you very much for coming and for your attention.

Signed:
Dr. Lawrence