NPP Aspirant Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum Pledges Free University Education to Build Knowledge-Driven Economy
Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, former Education Minister and New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential aspirant, has vowed to make university education free for all Ghanaians if elected president, framing it as the next frontier in equitable access following the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy.
Addressing delegates during his campaign trail in the Ashanti Region, Adutwum positioned the initiative as a tool to dismantle financial hurdles and foster a competitive knowledge-based economy.
“Education is the greatest equaliser, and no Ghanaian child should be denied the opportunity to attend university simply because of poverty,” Adutwum declared.
He envisioned tertiary education evolving from a “privilege for a few” to a “right for all,” with progressive rollout beginning at public universities and prioritizing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs to align with global demands.
Funding the ambitious plan, Adutwum outlined a strategy rooted in “efficient resource allocation, improved revenue mobilisation, and partnerships with the private sector,” insisting Ghana’s fiscal discipline could sustain it without compromising other priorities.
“We can achieve this if we manage our resources better and make education a true national priority,” he added, drawing on his ministerial legacy of advancing STEM infrastructure, including the construction of 10 specialized SHSs in 2022 and plans for five STEM universities nationwide.
The pledge arrives amid the NPP’s primaries on January 31, 2026, where Adutwum competes against frontrunners like Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, and Dr. Bryan Acheampong.
As Bosomtwe MP since 2020, where he secured 84.8% of votes in the last election, Adutwum leverages his education credentials—earned at Kumasi High School and later in the U.S., including a UCLA advisory role—to differentiate his platform.
He stressed that investing in human capital is key to “waging war on poverty” and driving economic transformation, urging the party to select leaders focused on service over self-interest.
While Adutwum’s vision echoes President John Mahama’s ongoing subsidies for first-year tertiary fees—covering GH¢452.9 million for 156,294 students in 2025—his proposal extends full coverage to all levels, potentially reshaping Ghana’s education landscape amid youth unemployment at 14.7%.
Critics may question fiscal feasibility in a post-debt-crisis economy, but supporters hail it as a bold continuation of NPP’s education reforms.
