Former Minister of Education, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, popularly known as NAPO, has rejoined Harvard University as a faculty member for the prestigious Harvard Ministerial Leadership Programme.

Dr. Prempeh, who served as Ghana’s Minister of Education from 2017 to 2021, shared his experience implementing the landmark Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy — one of the flagship initiatives of Akufo-Addo's administration.

Introduced in 2017, the Free SHS policy expanded access to secondary education for thousands of Ghanaian students, removing financial barriers by covering 41 key items, including tuition, meals, textbooks, and boarding.

Dr. Prempeh’s association with the Harvard Ministerial Leadership Programme began in 2017, when he participated as a member of the cohort of education ministers from around the world.

His leadership and commitment to education reform later earned him the Harvard Ministerial Medal of Achievement in 2020, an honour he received in person this year.

Reflecting on his journey, Dr. Prempeh noted that his participation in the programme equipped him with the tools and insights needed to effectively deliver on his mandate as the then Minister of Education.

“The programme gave me the knowledge and skills to execute my responsibilities successfully,” he said.

He also highlighted the transformative impact of the Free SHS policy on Ghana’s education sector, citing measurable progress in access, retention, and outcomes:

Increased Access to Education: Over 100,000 additional students each year who would have been left out are now enrolled in secondary schools.

Reduced Dropout Rates: Dropout rates in southern Ghana fell significantly, aligning with those in the northern regions within the programme’s first year.

Improved Education Outcomes: Thousands of students from disadvantaged backgrounds have gained access to quality secondary education.

Reaffirming his lifelong commitment to education, Dr. Prempeh expressed pride in the legacy of the Free SHS initiative.

“Expanding access, breaking down barriers, and giving hope to a new generation of Ghanaians is a legacy of service that continues to inspire me,” he said.

The Harvard Ministerial Leadership Programme continues to serve as a global platform for current and former government leaders to share best practices and strengthen policy delivery in their respective countries.