Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, former Minister for Education, has challenged Ghanaian youth to be critical consumers of political communication, warning that, much of the negativity dominating political discourse is deliberately crafted to influence votes rather than reflect reality.
Addressing graduates at the 49th Congregation Ceremony of Christian Service University, Dr. Adutwum said young people risked losing focus and hope if they unquestioningly accept political narratives that portrayed Ghana as a nation in perpetual crisis.
According to him, political actors, especially during election seasons, often exaggerated problems, distorted facts, and spread fear to win power, a strategy that left the youth confused, disillusioned, and distracted from pursuing opportunities.
“Politicians will tell you the sky is falling and that nothing is working,” he said, stressing that such messages were not always rooted in truth but designed to emotionally manipulate voters, particularly first-time and undecided young voters.
Dr. Adutwum urged young Ghanaians to interrogate political messages, verify claims, and distinguish between propaganda and evidence-based governance outcomes.
He cautioned that consuming political information uncritically could make young people pessimistic and inactive at a time when the country needed their energy and innovation.
Despite Ghana’s challenges, the former Minister maintained that the country’s future remained bright, insisting that progress should not be ignored simply because of partisan competition.
He called on the youth to focus on solutions, opportunities, and national development rather than political bitterness.
“The future of Ghana belongs to the youth,” he said, adding that, meaningful change would come not from political noise but from informed, engaged citizens who demanded accountability, while also contributing positively to society.
Touching on education and social equity, Dr. Adutwum highlighted Ghana’s success in achieving gender parity at the secondary education level, crediting the Free Senior High School policy for removing long-standing barriers that disadvantaged girls.
However, he challenged universities and policymakers to confront subtle inequalities that persist at higher levels of education, particularly in course selection, where young women remained underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics programmes.
He warned that political debates must move beyond slogans and focus on preparing the youth for a rapidly changing global economy driven by the Fourth Industrial Revolution, where traditional career paths were disappearing and adaptability was key.
Dr. Adutwum called on universities to redesign curricula to equip students with critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills that would allow them to navigate multiple careers over their lifetime.
He expressed confidence in Christian Service University’s ability to produce graduates who were not only employable but politically conscious.