Former Education Minister and Member of Parliament for Bosomtwe, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, has promised to introduce free university education in Ghana if elected president.
Speaking as an aspirant in the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) presidential primaries, Dr Adutwum said the policy would ensure equitable access to higher education and empower the next generation to contribute meaningfully to national development.
“The time has come for Ghana to remove financial barriers that prevent brilliant but needy students from pursuing tertiary education,” he stated. “Education is the greatest equaliser, and no Ghanaian child should be denied the opportunity to attend university simply because of poverty. Under my leadership, tertiary education will not be a privilege for a few but a right for all.”
Dr Adutwum explained that the free university education plan would be implemented progressively, starting with public universities and prioritising science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programmes.
He noted that the initiative would be funded through efficient resource allocation, improved revenue mobilisation, and partnerships with the private sector. “We can achieve this if we manage our resources better and make education a true national priority,” he added.
Widely credited for advancing STEM education during his tenure as Education Minister, Dr Adutwum said his vision is to build a knowledge-based economy capable of competing globally.
“Ghana’s development depends on how well we invest in our human capital. I have the experience, the vision, and the will to make education truly transformative. Free university education will be the next bold step in continuing the legacy of the Free SHS policy,” he said.
Source: Ernest Arhinful