BY Daniel Bampoe
Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, Member of Parliament for Bosomtwe and former Minister for Education, has declared his intention to contest the flagbearer slot of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), adding his name to a growing list of hopefuls vying to lead the party into the 2028 general elections.
He made the announcement in a widely circulated statement, declaring that he is answering a “lifelong call to serve” his party and nation.
His decision is seen as a significant moment in the NPP’s internal contest, as it introduces a candidate with a strong technocratic background and deep ties to local and international education systems.
Reformist at the Heart of Education
Adutwum has become a household name in Ghanaian politics, especially for his work in reshaping the country’s education sector.
Appointed Deputy Minister for Education in 2017 and later promoted to Minister, he led key reforms in STEM education, vocational training, and digital learning under the Akufo-Addo administration.
Among his signature initiatives were the expansion of Free Senior High School infrastructure, the establishment of STEM schools, and reforms to align Ghana’s educational system with global trends. His tenure was defined by a results-oriented leadership style, earning praise even among his critics for his data-driven approach to policymaking.
From Jachie to Los Angeles and Back
Born in Jachie in the Ashanti Region, Adutwum’s rise to national prominence was preceded by a remarkable academic and professional journey.
After completing his secondary education at Kumasi High School, he earned a degree in Land Economy from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
He later moved to the United States, where he obtained a Master’s degree in Education Management from the University of La Verne and a PhD in Educational Policy and Administration from the University of Southern California.
While abroad, he founded The New Designs Charter Schools in Los Angeles, institutions known for their strong emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
He also taught mathematics at Manual Arts High School and helped launch educational partnerships and small learning communities that fostered project-based learning.
His experience as an education consultant and advocate in the U.S. gave him a unique edge when he entered Ghanaian politics in 2016.
After being elected MP for Bosomtwe, he was quickly tapped by President Akufo-Addo to support national education policy.
In his announcement, Dr. Adutwum called for a new type of leadership—one that is “disciplined, evidence-based, and people-centered.”
He said Ghana needs a leader who understands that transforming a nation begins with transforming minds. He positioned himself as the right person to take Ghana into the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
He emphasized a commitment to inclusiveness, job creation, youth empowerment, and the eradication of poverty, stating:
“Every child, regardless of background, deserves quality education. Every young person must find opportunity and meaning in work. Every farmer and entrepreneur must feel seen in our economic plan.”
Calling his movement “The Adutwum Factor,” the former education minister said his ambition is not rooted in personal advancement but in a desire to lead a collective transformation.
“This declaration is a call to action,” he stated, “to build a Ghana that is better, stronger, and more united.”
Contenders and the Road Ahead
Dr. Adutwum’s entry into the race comes at a time of intense internal competition within the NPP.
Other notable figures who have expressed interest in the flagbearer position include former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Abetifi MP Dr. Bryan Acheampong, and outspoken businessman-turned-politician Kennedy Agyapong.
While Dr. Bawumia is expected to draw strength from his experience in government and economic background, and Kennedy Agyapong from his grassroots charisma, Dr. Adutwum is likely to appeal to Ghanaians seeking a fresh, pragmatic, and development-focused leadership.
Analysts say his appeal to the middle class, the youth, and technocrats could make him a formidable contender if he builds sufficient political alliances within the party’s internal structure.
