Aspiring New Patriotic Party (NPP) flag bearer Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum says he is not daunted by being described as an underdog in the race to lead the largest opposition party.

Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on September 16, he insisted that the label is not a weakness but rather an advantage.

“Underdog is good, and I will always accept that I used to be an underdog, so I will always accept underdog. Underdog is always good in politics,” the former Education Minister said.

Pressed by host Evans Mensah on why he considers it good in the primary setting, Dr Adutwum replied, “You are the underdog. You are underestimated. It’s good. I know the work I’m doing on the ground, so if you underestimate me, it’s good for me.”

His comments followed the August 29, 2025, Global Info Analytics survey, which placed former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia in the lead with 42 per cent, Kennedy Agyapong at 36 per cent, and Dr Adutwum in third with 10 per cent.

Reacting to the figures, he argued that his performance should be viewed in context.

“Well, 10% we just started. I just filed my nomination. They’ve been running around the country for how many years, campaigning...Bawumia has campaigned for 16 years and plus, and now he’s a household name.

"He’s known everywhere; he was with former president Akufo-Addo all these years. So I’m even happy that I just started, and I’m 10%.”

Dr Adutwum said the race has just begun, and he is confident of a turnaround.

“Now that the battle has begun and the whistle has been blown, I’m going to let Ghanaians know that there will be a new dawn.

"A new day in this country, where all the things that we thought were not possible become possible because there’s a can-do spirit, a can-do attitude that says, I don’t take no for an answer when it comes to making sure that we really elevate this nation out of poverty to a place where we can be proud of this nation.”