The Vice Presidential Candidate of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has asserted that the NPP government, under the leadership of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has done more for the welfare and advancement of teachers than any administration in Ghana’s Fourth Republic.

Dr. Prempeh, popularly known as Napo, made this claim during a campaign stop in the Abuakwa South Constituency in the Eastern Region, where he addressed chiefs, clergy, Muslims, and party members in Asiakwa.

He emphasised that teacher welfare has been at the heart of the government’s educational policies, a recognition of the crucial role teachers play in delivering quality education.

Highlighting the constituents’ enthusiasm, Napo noted that Abuakwa South is pleased with the performance of President Akufo-Addo, who hails from the area.

He expressed confidence that this satisfaction would translate into overwhelming support for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in the upcoming elections, describing him as the leader capable of taking Ghana to the next level.

Dr. Prempeh underscored the government’s recognition that teachers are central to quality education and that any serious effort to improve education must prioritise teachers’ needs.

He listed several key interventions by the NPP administration aimed at enhancing teachers’ livelihoods and advancing the education sector.

Among these, he highlighted: The full restoration of the teacher trainee allowance, the restoration of the Book and Research allowance, the reintroduction of the allowance for Arabic instructors, prompt payment of feeding grants for teacher trainees, the upgrade of Teacher Training Colleges from certificate-awarding institutions to diploma and, later, degree-awarding institutions.

The Manhyia South MP also criticised the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and its leader, John Dramani Mahama, for what he described as inconsistent positions on key education policies.

He pointed out that although Mahama introduced the Teacher Licensure Exams in 2016, his subsequent stance on the issue has been unclear.

He also criticised Mahama for cancelling the teacher trainee allowance during his presidency, only to now promise its restoration if re-elected.

Dr. Prempeh further accused the NDC of failing to deliver on its education commitments, suggesting that its track record shows an inability to raise educational standards in the country.

He urged Ghanaians to trust the NPP, citing the party’s proven achievements in managing the education sector.

He also addressed former President Mahama’s shifting positions on the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy.

Napo recalled how Mahama initially dismissed Free SHS as unfeasible and predicted it would collapse the education system, only to later claim that he was the one who introduced the policy.

During his visit, Dr. Prempeh made a donation to the Save Our Soul (SOS) International School in the constituency.

He reaffirmed Abuakwa South’s strong support for Dr. Bawumia and the Parliamentary Candidate Dr. Kingsley Agyemang, expressing confidence that the Constituency would show their full backing in the upcoming December 7 elections.