Former Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, has lamented that Ghana is underproducing engineers despite its growing population.
In an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen, the Bosomtwe Member of Parliament (MP) revealed that the country should be producing about 30,000 engineers annually.
However, he stated that the current reality is that only about 6,500 engineers are produced each year — and even with these low numbers, many still struggle to find employment.
Dr. Adutwum cited Vietnam as an example, noting that the country produces 100,000 engineers out of its 93 million population, highlighting how far behind Ghana is.
He advocated for a national focus on STEM education and mathematics to enhance learning and enable students to explore and innovate.
“If we had started this 60 years ago, we would have been far advanced by now. We think education is just about memorising, but that’s why I said at the UN that we can’t memorise our way out of poverty — we can critically think our way out of poverty,” he stated.
“If we just chew and pour, we cannot transform our nation with education like Singapore and South Korea did.”
Dr. Adutwum stressed that Ghana can develop and prosper if the right steps are taken.
“That is why I don’t agree with those who say Ghana can never get better. If we adopt the right formulas and take them seriously, Ghana will develop,” he added.
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