The National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), has launched an investigation into Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the 2024 running mate of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).
He has met quietly with the institution’s investigators a couple of times without the political drama and media razzmatazz witnessed by similar invitations to his political associates.
Sources indicate that, the probe centres on procurement-related decisions and contracts, including a US$60 million deal for mathematical sets awarded in 2019 by the Ministry of Education for distribution to Senior High School (SHS) students across Ghana.
Bluegrass Group Ltd, the local agent for Cornfield Group Ltd, identified as a front for Sarah Mary Olufemi Adetola, alias Femi, wife of former Executive Secretary to the President, Nana Bediatuo Asante, was tasked with procuring the Kapek Scientific Mathematical Instrument (SMI).
The owner of the company, reportedly hijacked the payment from the government, leading to his arrest by the same NIB during the Akufo-Addo administration, but he was never charged or put before the courts for a criminal prosecution.
The sole-sourced contract between the Akufo-Addo government and Bluegrass Group Ltd, was for five years and valued at US$12 million per annum.
The first consignment was delivered during Dr Opoku Prempeh’s tenure as Minister for Education between 2017 and 2021.
Bluegrass Group Ltd, owned by Kwadwo Darko-Mensah, alias “Onassis”, was contracted to supply 853,009 units of the scientific mathematical sets annually, at a unit cost of GH¢75, totalling GH¢63,975,675 per year over the contract term.
Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, popularly known as NAPO, has already honoured two invitations to assist with the ongoing investigation.
During a media engagement in Accra on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, Dr Opoku Prempeh, confirmed the development, stating:
“As I speak to you now, I have been invited by the NIB on two different occasions to answer some questions from my time as Education Minister—some issues I don’t even remember. But the records are there to show.”
In recent months, a number of former government officials have come under scrutiny, with multiple state institutions initiating probes into the previous NPP administration’s handling of public funds and procurement processes.
Separately, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) is investigating Bernard Antwi Boasiako, Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP, alias “Chairman Wontumi”, over alleged money laundering, causing financial loss to the state, COCOBOD Roads control, illegal mining, among other corruption cases.
President John Mahama, has disclosed that the Attorney General is currently building 33 dockets for prosecution, following investigations led by the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) Task Force, a special team mandated to trace and recover public funds lost through corruption.
Meanwhile, Dr Opoku Prempeh, has urged political office holders to uphold accountability, stressing the importance of transparency and responsibility in public service.
In an interview, he confirmed that the NIB, had invited him to discuss matters from his tenure at the Education Ministry. He described the process as both normal and necessary in public life.
“Anyone who offers themselves to serve must be prepared to account for their actions in office,” he remarked.
He emphasised the essential role of accountability in leadership and encouraged public officials to accept responsibility when called upon, reminding them of their duty to the citizenry.
Dr Opoku Prempeh, added that public service should not be viewed as a permanent privilege but rather a temporary responsibility that comes with consequences and obligations.
He said, it was not unusual for state agencies to summon former officials to clarify decisions made during their tenure, cautioning against politicising or sensationalising such actions.
“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,” he stated.
According to him, such scrutiny is a natural outcome of assuming leadership roles in the public sector.
The former Member of Parliament (MP) for Manhyia South, encouraged fellow politicians and public officials to maintain integrity in office and always to be prepared to respond to inquiries, thereby strengthening public trust in governance.
The Ministry of Education, contracted Bluegrass Group Ltd in September 2019, to supply the approved Kapek Scientific Mathematical Instrument for use by SHS students in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
The Kapek SMI, combines a scientific calculator and a mathematical set in a transparent plastic case. Customised explicitly for WAEC, it is built as a non-programmable calculator with over 400 basic mathematical functions, formulas, and symbols to facilitate quick and accurate computation.
The contract was sole-sourced because Bluegrass Group Ltd. was the only certified organisation in Ghana authorised to supply the WAEC-approved Scientific Mathematical Sets, a compulsory item for candidates sitting the WASSCE.
Source: theheraldghana.com
