I got into politics because I feared Akufo-Addo could forget about me after I returned to Ghana – Dr. Adutwum
Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, Ghana’s Minister of Education and Member of Parliament for Bosomtwi, recently shared his journey from teaching in the United States to contributing to Ghana’s education system.
Before his return, Dr. Adutwum had established three schools in California after teaching mathematics for a decade. His decision to return to Ghana was significantly influenced by a meeting with then-presidential candidate Nana Akufo-Addo, who was visiting the U.S. and had heard about Dr. Adutwum’s achievements in education.
During their conversation, Akufo-Addo invited Dr. Adutwum to join his vision of implementing a Free Senior High School (SHS) program in Ghana, inspired by similar programs in the United States.
“He [Akufo-Addo] commended me and asked me to come to Ghana and help develop our education. But I asked why I should leave America having over 200 workers to come and work in Ghana. Nana Akufo Addo told me, I am about to introduce something I call Free Senior High School. Because America is the first country to have introduced Free SHS, I want someone in America who has the experience and expertise to help me roll out the programme if I win the election.
The proposal resonated with Dr. Adutwum, particularly because he had personally experienced financial challenges while trying to pursue secondary education in Ghana. Encouraged by a counselor who reminded him that while America could carry on without him, Ghana might greatly benefit from his contributions, Dr. Adutwum decided to return.
Dr Adutwum further narrated: “When Nana Addo told me he was bringing Free SHS that experience of mine came to mind. I then went to one of my white counselors to advise me on what to do. He told me, ‘Yaw, America can do without you, but maybe, your country cannot do without you.’ It touched my heart and I decided to come and help. But I told myself that this man is a politician, what if he forgets about me later when he wins power?
“So, I decided to also become a politician myself. So I contested to become an MP at Bosomtwi where I won and came to Parliament. I was made a deputy minister of Education and served under Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh for four years when the NPP won the 201 election. I was later elevated to a substantive Minister when we won the 2020 election for me to implement the discussion I had with him in America. Ghanaians are witnesses to the tremendous work we have been able to do with the Free SHS programme.”
