NIB Investigates NPP Running Mate Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh Over Education Ministry Procurement Deals

The National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) has launched a discreet investigation into Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the running mate of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2024 elections, over procurement-related decisions during his tenure as Education Minister.

Unlike previous high-profile probes involving political figures, Dr. Prempeh, popularly known as NAPO, has reportedly cooperated with investigators without public spectacle, attending multiple interrogations in a low-key manner.

Focus of the Probe

The investigation centers on a controversial $60 million contract awarded in 2019 for the supply of scientific mathematical sets to Senior High Schools (SHS) nationwide. The deal, structured as a five-year sole-sourced agreement worth $12 million annually, was granted to Bluegrass Group Ltd, a local agent for Cornfield Group Ltd.

Sources reveal that Cornfield Group Ltd was allegedly a front for Sarah Mary Olufemi Adetola (Femi), the wife of Nana Bediatuo Asante, former Executive Secretary to President Akufo-Addo. The contract stipulated the supply of 853,009 units of the Kapek Scientific Mathematical Instrument (SMI) each year at GH¢75 per unit, amounting to GH¢63.9 million annually.

Controversy and Arrests

Reports indicate that the owner of Bluegrass Group Ltd, Kwadwo Darko-Mensah (alias “Onassis”), allegedly diverted government payments, leading to his arrest by the NIB during the Akufo-Addo administration. However, no formal charges were filed, raising questions about accountability.

The first batch of mathematical sets was delivered under Dr. Prempeh’s watch as Education Minister (2017–2021). The Kapek SMI, a WAEC-approved non-programmable calculator with over 400 mathematical functions, was a compulsory requirement for West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) candidates.

Prempeh Confirms Cooperation with NIB

During a media interaction in Accra on June 3, 2025, Dr. Prempeh acknowledged the investigation, stating:

“I have been invited by the NIB on two occasions to clarify certain decisions during my time as Education Minister—some of which I barely recall. But the records are available for verification.”

He emphasized the importance of accountability in public service, urging officials to welcome scrutiny as part of their duty to citizens.

“Public office is a temporary trust, not an entitlement. Being summoned doesn’t imply guilt—it’s a normal part of governance,” he remarked.

Broader Anti-Corruption Crackdown

This probe aligns with a wider investigation into the NPP’s handling of public funds under the previous administration. The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) is separately investigating NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi) for alleged money laundering, illegal mining, and financial loss to the state COCOBOD-related projects.

President John Mahama has also disclosed that the Attorney General is preparing 33 prosecution dockets based on findings by the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) Task Force, a special anti-corruption unit.

As investigations unfold, Dr. Prempeh’s case highlights the increasing scrutiny of past government officials and the push for greater transparency in Ghana’s procurement processes. His call for public servants to uphold integrity underscores the delicate balance between political accountability and the presumption of innocence.

The outcome of this probe could have significant implications for Ghana’s political landscape as the nation intensifies its fight against corruption.

Source: GhanaFeed.Com