Former Energy Minister and running mate of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has refuted claims that he issued the 2020 unitisation directive involving Springfield Exploration and Production Limited (Springfield) and Eni Ghana Exploration and Production Limited (ENI).
In a statement responding to a post by Bright Simons, Honorary Vice President of policy think-tank Imani-Africa, Dr Prempeh clarified that he was Education Minister at the time the directive was issued. He only assumed office as Energy Minister on March 7, 2021.
Simons, in a post on X, attributed the directive to Dr. Prempeh while commenting on the government’s recent decision to withdraw it. His claim was further highlighted in a GhanaWeb publication on February 27, 2025. However, Dr. Prempeh pointed out that the withdrawal letter signed by current Energy Minister, John Jinapor, referenced directive letters from 2020—before his tenure at the Energy Ministry began.
Dr. Prempeh criticized the error, stating that a careful review of historical facts could have prevented it. He emphasized that while public discussions on government decisions are welcome, they should be conducted with accuracy and decorum.
As a matter of courtesy and good faith, he has demanded that Bright Simons retracts his statement and issues an apology for the wrongful attribution.
