Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, National Coordinator of the District Roads Improvement Programme (DRIP), has cautioned former Education Minister Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum against basing his campaign for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer position solely on his performance at the Ministry of Education, noting that his record is not without criticism.
Dr. Adutwum officially declared his intention to run for the NPP’s flagbearership on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, expressing his readiness to serve both party and country. In a Facebook post, he stated, “With humility, conviction, and a resolute heart, I, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, declare my intent to run for the Flagbearership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), should nominations be officially opened by the party.”
Speaking on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily the following day, Vanderpuye praised Dr. Adutwum’s calm nature and welcomed his decision to contest. However, he urged a more grounded approach, suggesting that the former minister should avoid over-relying on his educational sector track record to win support.
“It’s commendable that he wants to contest; he has a calm disposition. But I advise him not to center his campaign solely on his tenure at the Education Ministry,” Vanderpuye said.
He emphasized that Dr. Adutwum’s performance as Minister of Education was mixed, with both accomplishments and shortcomings.
“It’s a 50-50 performance—some things were done well, but there were also significant missteps. That won’t necessarily earn him the credibility he’s aiming for,” he noted.
Vanderpuye recommended that Dr. Adutwum frame his campaign around humility and service, rather than presenting himself as an infallible administrator.
“He should position himself simply as Adutwum, a humble servant of Ghana. Say, ‘I have served. I may not have been perfect, but I did so with humility and dedication.’ That message will resonate more,” he advised.
He also warned that negative public perceptions of Dr. Adutwum’s ministerial record could work against him.
“If people have unresolved concerns about your time in office, they will use that to discredit your campaign,” Vanderpuye cautioned.
