“Chew and Pour Must End – Adutwum Champions STEM for Ghana’s Development”
Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum: Engineering and STEM Education Are Key to Ghana’s Future
Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, former Education Minister and Member of Parliament for Bosomtwe, is calling for a national shift toward engineering and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education to unlock Ghana’s true potential.
In a recent interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, Dr. Adutwum emphasized that Ghana’s journey to becoming a great nation hinges on how well it embraces STEM education. He pointed to Vietnam as a shining example. Despite having a population of around 93 million, Vietnam trains and graduates nearly 100,000 engineers each year — a model Ghana can learn from.
“Our low output of engineers isn’t because we lack the population,” Dr. Adutwum explained. “It’s because of how poorly our education system is structured. Even the few engineers we train often struggle to find employment.”
To address this, he suggested a strategic partnership between the education system and industry. One of his proposals includes offering tax incentives to construction and engineering firms that employ Ghanaian-trained engineers. According to him, this won’t strain the national budget because the employees will still contribute through income tax.
Dr. Adutwum also stressed the need to integrate practical STEM education at all levels, particularly in secondary schools. “We’ve relied too heavily on theory for too long. If we had prioritized practical, hands-on STEM education 60 years ago, Ghana could have been among the world’s leading nations by now,” he said.
His message to national leaders is clear: Ghana must be intentional and consistent about building a strong foundation in science and engineering. STEM is not just a buzzword — it’s a critical tool for national development, innovation, and job creation.
With his background in education and policy, Dr. Adutwum continues to advocate for a future where Ghanaian students are equipped not only with knowledge but with the skills to solve real-world problems. He believes that by focusing on STEM and creating opportunities for young engineers, Ghana can pave the way for sustainable growth and global competitiveness.
