Dr Prempeh urges future leaders to focus on service, policy implementation

Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh has reiterated his commitment to mentoring the next generation of Ghanaian leaders, urging university students to focus on policy development and practical leadership that delivers results for the public.

The former Minister of Education made the remarks during an engagement with members of the Political Science Students Association (POSSA) at the University of Ghana as part of his continuing mentorship and student engagement series.

Addressing the students, Dr Opoku Prempeh, popularly known for his strong stance on policy execution, emphasized that leadership must be grounded in service, discipline and a genuine commitment to the wellbeing of the people.

According to him, leadership is not merely about ambition or occupying positions of power but about answering a higher calling to serve society.

“Our conversation explored leadership, governance, faith and the importance of purpose in public service. Leadership is not merely about ambition; it is about calling, discipline and the willingness to serve others faithfully,” he told the students.

The engagement allowed students to share their perspectives and aspirations for Ghana’s governance architecture, with Dr Opoku Prempeh encouraging them to prepare themselves to become leaders who prioritize national interest above personal gain.

He stressed that Ghana’s future depends on young leaders who are prepared not only to craft policies but also to ensure their full and effective implementation.

Dr Opoku Prempeh, who has built a reputation as a results-driven public servant, challenged the students to adopt a leadership philosophy that places more emphasis on action than rhetoric.

He urged them to become leaders who would be known for working tirelessly for their people rather than merely speaking about their intentions.

“Ghana needs leaders who will not only speak but act—leaders whose impact will be felt through policies that improve the lives of the people,” he indicated.

The former education minister’s mentorship initiative is aimed at inspiring university students to take a keen interest in governance and policy development while nurturing a culture of public service rooted in integrity, discipline and faith.

Dr Opoku Prempeh’s own public service record, particularly his role in implementing Ghana’s transformative Free Senior High School policy, was cited as an example of policy leadership that has had a far-reaching national impact.

The Free Senior High School programme, introduced under the administration of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has opened access to secondary education for millions of Ghanaian students who previously faced financial barriers.

For many observers, the policy remains one of the most significant social interventions in Ghana’s education sector, expanding opportunities for young people across the country.

Dr Opoku Prempeh noted that the interaction with the students reaffirmed his belief that Ghana’s emerging generation of leaders is preparing itself to contribute meaningfully to national development.

He encouraged the students to remain committed to values of service, faith and purpose as they prepare to take up leadership roles in the years ahead.

“Listening to their perspectives and aspirations reaffirmed my belief that Ghana’s next generation of leaders are getting ready to contribute meaningfully to national development,” he said.

The mentorship engagement forms part of Dr Opoku Prempeh’s broader effort to nurture a new crop of leaders who will be guided not only by ambition but by a deep sense of duty to serve the greater good of the Ghanaian people.