‘Free SHS Is Here To Stay’ – President-Elect Mahama Pledges Reforms, Not Abolition, Of The Program

President-elect John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his dedication to Ghana’s Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy, emphasizing that the program will not only continue but also be restructured to address its shortcomings.
Speaking in a recent interview with Voice of America (VOA), Mahama dismissed claims from New Patriotic Party (NPP) officials that he intended to abolish the program, describing such assertions as mere political propaganda.

Mahama assured Ghanaians that Free SHS is “here to stay” and highlighted plans to secure dedicated funding to improve its efficiency. “There’s a lot of waste in the system. We’re going to help make it more efficient so that teachers, parents, and students get the best out of Free SHS,” he stated. His administration aims to streamline the program to ensure it better serves its beneficiaries while addressing the systemic inefficiencies that have plagued it.

Beyond Free SHS, Mahama stressed the importance of tackling challenges in basic education, which he believes have been neglected due to the focus on secondary education. He revealed shocking statistics, noting that about 1.3 million pupils at the basic level lack proper furniture and are forced to sit on cement blocks or lie on the floor during lessons. To address this, Mahama announced plans to convene a National Education Forum, bringing together key stakeholders to assess the education system comprehensively and propose sustainable solutions.

The Free SHS program, introduced in 2017 by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has made secondary education more accessible, especially for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. However, issues such as overcrowding, insufficient infrastructure, and delays in funding have hampered its implementation. Mahama’s campaign message of preserving and reforming Free SHS resonated with voters who prioritize education access and quality.

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