In a recent interview with GTV, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Vice Presidential Candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), highlighted the sacrifices made by Ghanaians affected by Ghana’s Debt Exchange Program (DDEP) and promised to advocate for fair compensation to bondholders. He linked his resolve to unresolved economic hardships from the past, where government policies caused loss and frustration for citizens, including cocoa farmers and his own family.
Dr. Opoku Prempeh, also known as NAPO, shared, “In my lifetime, government measures have caused individuals to suffer, without ever seeing resolution,” adding that Ghana must avoid similar failures by honoring commitments to bondholders.
During the interview, Dr. Opoku Prempeh also noted achievements under the NPP’s leadership in other areas, affirming that, “Every teacher that was promised one laptop has received it.” He also addressed debates around the Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) curriculum, explaining, “Some NGOs, Faith Based Organizations, and CSOs benefited from the $51M to help come up with the curriculum without protesting,” a point he raised to clarify transparency and stakeholder input on the issue.
Turning to the government’s track record on energy, Dr. Opoku-Prempeh drew attention to the long-standing problem of Dumsor (intermittent power outages) and praised the government for maintaining stable power. “We are not given credit,” he stated, “but Ghanaians should appreciate that under President Nana Addo, there have been light for 8 years.”
In his broader message, Dr. Opoku-Prempeh called on Ghanaians to recognize the efforts made by the government to strengthen the economy and ensure access to resources for education and energy, while reinforcing his commitment to seek compensation for bondholders’ sacrifices. “As soon as we emerge from the IMF, we must find ways to share the rewards of this recovery with those who made it possible,” he concluded, making his advocacy for bondholders a central aspect of his campaign.
