Former Minister of Education and Member of Parliament for Bosomtwe, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, has shared his thoughts on how to inspire and empower Ghana’s youth, drawing parallels between the influence of cultural icons and the need for more young people to pursue careers in critical sectors like engineering.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Mercury Quaye on Cruise Control on Hitz FM, Dr. Adutwum touched on his admiration for Shatta Wale, the renowned Ghanaian dancehall artist, and his commitment to nurturing a new generation of engineers.

In the interview, Dr. Adutwum spoke about the impact that influential figures such as Shatta Wale have on Ghana’s youth.

The former education minister acknowledged the power of music and culture in shaping young minds, noting that figures like Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy offer more than just entertainment; they provide a sense of purpose and direction.

“You have young people who either follow the Bhim or Shatta Wale movement. They begin to believe in something, and the youth love them for it,” Dr. Adutwum said. “These figures make them feel that they can achieve greatness. I haven’t had the chance to meet Shatta Wale in person yet, but I did see him from a distance at the Tamale airport. I look forward to one day meeting him. When I do, I’m going to say: 'What makes you sing this way? What is your motivation? And how can we create 50 more Shatta Wale’s?'"

For Dr. Adutwum, the ultimate goal is to harness that passion, drive, and influence to create even more youth icons who can inspire future generations of Ghanaians to believe in themselves and pursue ambitious goals.

However, Dr. Adutwum’s perspective on youth development goes beyond cultural influence. The Member of Parliament for Bosomtwe has long been a proponent of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education, and in the interview, he outlined his own hands-on approach to empowering young people in his constituency.

Rather than waiting for change to come through the slow evolution of educational policies, Dr. Adutwum has taken matters into his own hands by creating opportunities for young people to enter engineering fields.

"In my constituency, I decided that one day I want to be visited by 100 engineers,” Dr. Adutwum explained.

“But I realised that if I left this to evolution, without a revolution in how we approach youth development, I would never achieve this goal. So I decided to take action and create the engineers myself.”

To make this vision a reality, Dr. Adutwum recruited young students directly from high schools and enrolled them in engineering schools. By fully funding their education, covering their accommodation, and securing additional funds both locally and from the United States, he has made it possible for these young people to pursue their dreams of becoming engineers without the financial burden that often comes with higher education.

"As I speak to you now, I have 93 engineers who are currently in the programme," he said. "Their fees are fully paid, their accommodation is taken care of, and I have raised funds from the US and here in Ghana to support their education. By next year, I will have the full 100 engineers, all trained and ready to contribute to the country’s development.”

While figures like Shatta Wale play an important role in motivating the youth, he believes it is equally important to create tangible opportunities for young people to succeed in critical fields like engineering, which can drive national progress.