Vanderpuye to Adutwum: Your Education record alone won’t win you the NPP race

Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, the National Coordinator of the District Roads Improvement Programme (DRIP), has cautioned former Education Minister Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum to be careful about campaigning for the flagbearership position based solely on his tenure at the Education Ministry, noting that his record is ‘not without flaws.’

On Wednesday, June 18, 2025, Dr. Osei Adutwum officially declared his intention to run for the flagbearership of the New Patriotic Party in January 2026.

In a post on Facebook, Dr. Adutwum shared his eagerness to serve both the party and the nation, driven by a sense of duty and conviction.

‘With humility, conviction, and a resolute heart, I, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, announce my intention to seek the Flagbearership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), should nominations be opened by the party,’ he stated.

During an appearance on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily on Thursday, Vanderpuye recognized Dr. Adutwum’s composed nature and praised his choice to enter the flagbearership contest.

Nonetheless, he encouraged the minister to take a more humble and personal approach when reaching out to party delegates and the public.

‘It’s commendable that Adutwum wishes to run for the flagbearership. He possesses a very calm demeanor. However, I would advise him not to base his qualifications solely on his performance at the Ministry of Education,’ Vanderpuye remarked.

He pointed out that Dr. Adutwum’s record as Education Minister is not without its shortcomings.

‘His performance is a mixed bag. There are aspects he handled well, but there are also numerous mistakes that could undermine the credibility he seeks,’ he elaborated.

Vanderpuye recommended that Dr. Adutwum should present himself as a humble public servant instead of heavily leaning on his ministerial accomplishments.

‘He should present himself as Adutwum, a servant of this country. ‘I have served. I may not have achieved perfection, but I have served with humility and respect.’ This way, people will evaluate him based on that perspective,’ he advised.