Why I left my 3 schools in the US to return to Ghana and impact education – Minister shares

Minister of Education has shared what compelled him to leave the United States of America and return to Ghana to help develop the country's education system.

The Member of Parliament for Bosomtwi who owns three schools in the US, taught mathematics for ten years before relocating to Ghana.

Speaking in an engagement in Accra on Sunday, November 10, Dr. Osei Adutwum disclosed that he decided to relocate to Ghana after President Akufo-Addo, then Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, visited America and appealed to him to return home to help implement the Free Senior High School programme he intended to roll out if he wins the 2016 general elections.

"About 10 years ago, I was in America where I taught Mathematics. One day, I decided to also put up my own school. So I officially wrote a letter to the relevant state institution and I was granted permission to build my own schools.

"I built the first school and in no time, it was full. I went on to build the second one, and that also got full not long after its was built. I then proceeded to build the third one. So I have three schools in the state of California in America.

"One day, Nana Akufo Addo visited California and he was informed that a Ghanaian had built three schools here. So he visited me and was pleasantly surprised at the work I have done. He asked me how I was able to do this being a Ghanaian. I told him I will tell him later and he insisted that I said it then and so I told the gathering how I was able to establish the schools.

"He commended me and asked me to come to Ghana and help develop our education. But I asked why I should leave America having over 200 workers to come and work in Ghana. Nana Akufo Addo told me, I am about to introduce something I call Free Senior High School. Because America is the first country to have introduced Free SHS, I want someone in America who has the experience and expertise to help me roll out the programme if I win the election."

Dr Adutwum further narrated: "So I told him I will think about it. The reason why I thought about Nana Addo's proposal is that after passing the common entrance examination, I needed money to continue to the secondary school and there was none at the time.

"Permission was given for some pigs that were being reared for my Uncles to be sold to enable me to get money to go to secondary school. When Nana Addo told me he was bringing Free SHS that experience of mine came to mind. I then went to one of my white counselors to advise me on what to do.

"He told me, 'Yaw, America can do without you, but maybe, your country cannot do without you.' It touched my heart and I decided to come and help. But I told myself that this man is a politician, what if he forgets about me later when he wins power?"

Adutwum added: "So, I decided to also become a politician myself. I contested to become an MP at Bosomtwi where I won and came to Parliament. I was made a deputy minister of Education and served under Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh for four years when the NPP won the 2021 election.

"I was later elevated to substantive Minister when we won the 2020 election for me to implement the discussion I had with him in America. Ghanaians are witnesses to the tremendous work we have been able to do with the Free SHS programme."

KA

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