Former Minister of Education, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh also known as NAPO, has returned to Harvard University as a faculty member for the prestigious Harvard Ministerial Leadership Programme.
There, he shared his experience implementing the Free Senior High School (SHS) programme in Ghana.
As Minister of Education from 2017 to 2021, he implemented the Free SHS programme, increasing access to secondary education for thousands of students.
The programme, introduced in 2017 under the Akufo-Addo administration, expanded access in Ghana’s education sector, providing free education to students and covering 41 items, including tuition, meals, textbooks, and boarding.
Napo’s association with the Harvard Ministerial Leadership Programme began in 2017 when he attended as a participant. His dedication to education reform earned him the Harvard Ministerial Medal of Achievement in 2020, which he finally received in person this year.
Dr. Prempeh said the programme equipped him with the knowledge and skills necessary to execute his mandate as Minister of Education successfully.
The Free SHS programme has had a significant impact on Ghana’s education sector, some notable achievements include of which include;
- Increased Access to Education: Over 100,000 students each year who would have been on the streets are now in school.
- Reduced Dropout Rates: Dropout rates in the South fell to match the North in the first year of the program’s implementation.
- Improved Education Outcomes: The program has provided thousands of students with access to secondary education, regardless of their financial background.
He reiterated his commitment to education in the country. “Expanding access, breaking down barriers, and giving hope to a new generation of Ghanaians is a legacy of service that continues to inspire me.”
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