Dr. Adutwum Urges End to Divisive Politics, Calls for Unity in National Development

Former Education Minister, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, is calling on political leaders and stakeholders to move away from divisive and destructive political practices, which he referred to as “slash and burn” politics, in order to prioritize Ghana’s collective progress.

He emphasized the need for political maturity where opposition parties do not dismiss policies or initiatives simply because they come from a rival government. Dr. Adutwum pointed out that, often, criticisms of government projects are not based on their merit, but are motivated by the desire to gain political advantage.

“Sometimes the opposition knows a government’s initiative is beneficial, but they’ll still criticize it just to win political points,” he noted. He cited the example of the E-block projects, saying, “I’ve always supported E-blocks, but where a location isn’t suitable for a day school, I’d add dormitory blocks to make it serve the community better.”

Speaking at a TEKTALK event organized by the KNUST Students’ Representative Council, Dr. Adutwum advocated for bipartisan representation in key national decision-making bodies. He proposed a model where ruling parties appoint three members to national commissions, while the opposition nominates two.

The event, themed “Pioneering National Transformation through Politics, Finance, and Entertainment,” brought together key figures to discuss the intersection of governance and development.

Dr. Adutwum, also MP for Bosomtwe, shared how he has used his political platform to drive positive change, including sponsoring 150 students to become engineers and doctors, and championing STEM education across the country.

“Politics can truly be a force for good,” he said, highlighting his efforts to make science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) a national priority.

Baba Sadiq Abdulai Abu, founder and CEO of 3Music Network, also addressed participants, underscoring the importance of politics in setting the foundation for economic transformation.

“Politics defines the environment for national progress. If politics provides the right framework, then sectors like finance and entertainment can thrive,” Baba Sadiq remarked.