Political officeholders must embrace accountability — Opoku Prempeh

A former Minister of Education, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has stressed the need for persons who have had the privilege to hold public office to be ready to account for their stewardship.

He acknowledged that the principle of accountability was a risk that came with the job, hence the need for political officeholders to uphold the principle of accountability.

He stressed the importance of transparency and accountability in governance, especially in public service. 

NIB investigation

Dr Opoku Prempeh, popularly known as Napo, made the remarks in an interview following confirmation that the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) had invited him to respond to issues related to his stewardship during his time at the Education Ministry.

He described the invitation as a normal and necessary part of public service, saying anyone who offered themselves to serve must be prepared to account for their actions in office.

"Those of us who have dedicated ourselves to politics must understand that when your party is out of power, you may be called upon to account for your tenure in office, and there is nothing wrong with being held accountable.

Even in our various homes, our wives hold us accountable. So, accountability is not a bad thing," he said. 

Accountability

Dr Opoku Prempeh, who was the running mate of the presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the December 7, 2024, general election, stated the integral role accountability played in leadership and urged public servants to avail themselves to account when the need arose, and bear in mind their responsibility to the people.  

He noted that serving in public office should not be seen as a permanent privilege, but a temporary responsibility that came with consequences and obligations, stressing that “for accountability, nobody can escape it.”

He said it was not unusual for state agencies to invite former officeholders to clarify decisions or activities during their tenure, and such processes should not be politicised or sensationalised.

“This is not the first time someone has been asked to explain their stewardship, and it certainly won’t be the last.

Being called does not mean you are guilty,” Dr Opoku Prempeh noted. 

Those, he said, were natural outcomes of taking up leadership roles in the public sector.  

The former NPP Member of Parliament for Manhyia South encouraged his fellow politicians and public officials to maintain integrity while in office and to be ever ready to give account when called upon, in order to strengthen public trust in governance. — GNA