Free SHS Secure Under My Leadership – Mahama Reassures

President-elect John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his commitment to sustaining and enhancing the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy, ensuring its continuity with a dedicated funding framework.

In an interview with the Voice of America (VOA), Mahama emphasized the significance of the Free SHS policy, describing it as an essential pillar of Ghana’s education system. He declared unequivocally that the policy is “here to stay” and will not be abolished under his administration.

Addressing allegations from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) intends to abolish the Free SHS programme, Mahama dismissed such claims as “political talk and gimmickry.” He stated, “Nobody is going to scrap Free SHS. What was said was political talk and gimmickry. We are going to maintain it. What we are going to do is get dedicated funding for it.”

Mahama outlined his administration’s focus on ensuring the programme’s sustainability by implementing effective funding mechanisms. He criticised the NPP’s accusations as unfounded and reiterated his government’s commitment to prioritising education for national development.

The Free SHS policy, originally introduced by the NPP, provides free secondary education to Ghanaian students. While the policy has been widely celebrated for improving access to education, it has also faced challenges, including funding constraints and infrastructure deficits.

Mahama’s reassurances aim to address public concerns, highlighting his administration’s dedication to addressing these challenges and ensuring that the Free SHS programme remains a cornerstone of Ghana’s education system.