Kwasi Kwarteng, former spokesperson for the Ministry of Education under ex-President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s administration, has thrown a daring challenge to the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) regarding their ability to manage the Free Senior High School (SHS) programme.

Speaking on Oyerepa TV on January 9, 2025, Kwarteng reminded the NDC of their earlier criticisms about the quality of food provided to SHS students during the previous administration. He urged the current government to back their words with action by significantly upgrading the feeding program.

“They criticized the food we provided to Free SHS students, calling it substandard. Now that they are in power, let’s see them deliver on their promises,” Kwarteng said. Taking a swipe at the NDC, he sarcastically suggested that the government could send SHS students to luxurious establishments like Kempinski and Lancaster three times a day.

He didn’t stop there. Kwarteng added that on Saturdays, the NDC could offer students extravagant meals at these five-star hotels for breakfast, lunch, and dinner to prove their capability in managing the education sector.

The NDC, while in opposition, had accused the former administration of providing expired and poor-quality food to students. Kwarteng’s remarks are widely seen as a challenge to the ruling party to match their past critiques with actions that improve the welfare of SHS students under the Free SHS program.