Learn from Dr Osei Adutwum instead of dismissing his record – Kwasi Kwarteng to Haruna Iddrisu

Former spokesperson for the Ministry of Education, Kwasi Kwarteng, has challenged Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu to learn from the record of his predecessor, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, instead of dismissing the policies and achievements of the previous administration.

Kwarteng argued that the current Education Minister should approach the sector with a willingness to build on existing initiatives rather than attempting to discredit everything introduced under the previous government.

His comments come amid an increasingly heated debate over Ghana’s education policies, particularly the implementation of the Free SHS programme, the double-track system and efforts to manage growing enrolment pressures.

Kwarteng defends Adutwum’s record

According to Kwarteng, Dr Adutwum’s tenure produced policies and interventions that deserve proper assessment rather than outright dismissal.

He believes the current administration can benefit from studying what worked under the former Education Minister and improving areas that require attention.

The former Education Ministry spokesperson’s remarks come at a time when the two sides of Ghana’s political divide continue to clash over who deserves credit — and blame — for developments in the education sector.

‘Don’t throw away what works’

Kwarteng’s central argument is that changes in government should not automatically mean abandoning policies simply because they were introduced by a political opponent.

He urged Haruna Iddrisu to focus on continuity and improvements where necessary, particularly in dealing with the challenges confronting the country’s second-cycle education system.

The debate has become particularly intense around the double-track system, which was introduced as a response to inadequate infrastructure and rising enrolment following the expansion of Free SHS.

Double-track remains a major issue

The double-track system has remained one of the most controversial aspects of Ghana’s secondary education policy.

Supporters of the policy have argued that it provided a temporary solution to the shortage of classrooms, dormitories and other facilities as more students gained access to secondary education.

Critics, however, have consistently called for its abolition and increased investment in infrastructure to allow schools to return to a traditional single-track academic calendar.

Recent comments from Kwarteng suggest that the political contest over the system is far from over.

Pressure on Haruna Iddrisu

The Education Minister has faced increasing pressure from the opposition and education stakeholders over the government’s handling of the sector.

Issues including the SHS placement exercise, infrastructure, teacher welfare and the future of the double-track system have continued to generate public discussion.

Kwarteng’s intervention adds another voice to those demanding that the current administration carefully evaluate policies inherited from the previous government before making major changes.

Education beyond partisan politics

At the heart of Kwarteng’s argument is the belief that education policy should not be driven entirely by partisan considerations.

Governments may change, but the students affected by education policies remain the same.

For him, successful initiatives should be maintained and improved, while policies that have failed should be reformed or replaced based on evidence.

His message to Haruna Iddrisu is therefore straightforward: rather than dismissing Dr Osei Adutwum’s record because of political differences, study what was achieved, identify what worked and build on it.

As Ghana continues to grapple with challenges in the education sector, the growing debate over the legacies of successive ministers is likely to remain a major political and policy battleground.