The Energy Minister and Member of Parliament (MP) for Manhyia South, Dr Mathew Opoku Prempeh (Napo), has denied flying a private jet to celebrate his birthday in Monaco.

This comes on the back of a publication alleging that the Energy Minister flew to Monaco on a private jet for his birthday celebration.

Responding to the allegation in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Kofi Abrefa Afena said: “Among other unintelligent postulations, the publication alleges that the Energy Minister and Member of Parliament for Manhyia South flew a certain phantomised private jet to celebrate his birthday.”

It noted: “On the 23rd of May, 2023, which marked the 55th birthday of Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, he was in Ghana and attended a meeting of the Economic Management Team (EMT).”

It further noted: “On the same day, 23rd May, Dr Prempeh also attended a board meeting of the governing Board of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC).

“On 24th May, the day after, Dr Prempeh’s birthday, I was in his house in the morning, at his instance, where he recorded an appreciation message to his well-wishers for the love shown him on his birthday.”

The Minister’s spokesperson continued that Dr Prempeh spent the rest of the “day of the 24th in his office, where he carried out his routine official duties.”

He indicated that: “Dr Prempeh after seeking the necessary approval from the Chief of Staff at the Office of the President, travelled abroad on KLM to Athens for a brief holiday.

“There is incontrovertible evidence in this regard.”

He continued: “Anybody who knows Dr Prempeh very well will corroborate the fact that, he does not attach hype and razzmatazz to his birthdays, except, on those days, as an avid Christian, to be alone in sobriety and to thank the almighty God for his grace and mercies. What happened this year was no different.”

“The general public is kindly asked to completely disregard this publication,” the statement added.