Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum
Former Minister for Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum says growing momentum from the Ashanti Region has significantly strengthened his bid to lead the New Patriotic Party (NPP) as its next flagbearer, declaring that the groundswell of support gives him a strong chance of winning the internal contest and the general election.
Speaking in an interview with the DAILY GUIDE, Dr. Adutwum disclosed that he has successfully completed the first phase of his Ashanti regional tour, covering 20 out of the region’s 47 constituencies.
According to him, the reception so far has been overwhelming, marked by spontaneous endorsements, excitement and shifting loyalties among party delegates and supporters.
“Momentum is clearly building. You see the excitement on the faces of the people when you share your message with them. Some walk up to you to say they are now convinced, others say they support your campaign, and some admit they are still confused. But every constituency we leave, the response is strong,” he said.
Dr. Adutwum expressed firm confidence that the Ashanti surge could reshape the dynamics of the race, saying, “With Ashanti momentum building, I can win this election. It may come as a shock to many, but other regions are already taking their cue from Ashanti. As Ashanti moves, you will see Ahafo, Bono and other regions follow.”
He argued that beyond the contest for flagbearership, delegates must focus on selecting a candidate with the strongest appeal for the national election.
Central to his case, he said, is the “home region advantage” and the broad identification many voters feel with his life story.
Drawing from his background as a teacher and son of a cocoa farmer, Dr. Adutwum said his personal journey resonates deeply with grassroots supporters.
“Teachers are excited about the possibility of one of their own leading Ghana. In the cocoa-growing areas, the people say, ‘for the first time, the son of a cocoa farmer may become President.’ That identity matters,” he noted.
He explained that his appeal also cuts across constituency lines in Kumasi, where many residents trace their roots to Bosomtwe and surrounding districts.
When he recounts growing up at Jachie, weaving baskets and selling them at the Kumasi Central Market, crowds often erupt with chants of “he is one of us.”
Dr. Adutwum added that his engagement with the youth during his tenure as Deputy Minister and Minister for Education continues to work in his favour, especially among former Senior High School (SHS) students who are now voters.
His proposal for free university education, he said, draws strong reactions in rural communities where families are struggling with life after free SHS.
Beyond the flagbearer race, he outlined a broader vision focused on poverty reduction through massive job creation, Information and Technology (IT)-driven growth, industrialisation and commercial agriculture.
He proposed the establishment of IT hubs across the country to absorb unemployed graduates into cybersecurity and global digital work.
“India has done it, South Korea has done it, and Ghana will do it,” he said, insisting that with Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) as the foundation, the country can reverse its economic fortunes.