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President-elect John Dramani Mahama has reiterated his commitment to the continuation of Ghana’s Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy, rejecting claims that his administration would abolish it.
In an interview with Voice of America (VOA), Mahama described these claims—largely pushed by New Patriotic Party (NPP) officials during the election campaign—as unfounded political propaganda.
“Free SHS has come to stay, and it is not going anywhere,” Mahama declared. “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.”
The Free SHS initiative, launched in 2017 by the Akufo-Addo administration, provides free tuition, boarding, and meals to students in public senior high schools. The policy has allowed many young Ghanaians, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to access secondary education.
Despite its successes, the program has faced challenges such as overcrowded classrooms, inadequate infrastructure, and delays in funding, which have hindered its full implementation. Mahama emphasized that his administration will focus on preserving the core benefits of the program while addressing these issues. His plan includes securing stable funding to alleviate financial constraints and improve the overall quality of education under the scheme.
Mahama’s strong endorsement of Free SHS was a key element of his campaign, particularly appealing to Ghanaians concerned about education access and equity. His decisive victory in the December 7 elections reinforced this stance. The Electoral Commission declared him the winner with 6,328,397 votes, or 56.55% of the valid votes cast, defeating his closest rival, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia of the NPP, who received 4,657,304 votes (41.61%).
This marks Mahama’s return to the presidency after serving from 2012 to 2017. His campaign focused on economic recovery, addressing corruption, and strengthening social programs like education and healthcare.
The Free SHS policy was a point of contention during the elections, with the NPP suggesting that Mahama would dismantle it if elected. Mahama’s clear response aims to reassure Ghanaians, especially parents and students who have benefited from the program.
The President-elect has pledged to collaborate with education stakeholders to review and refine the policy, ensuring its sustainable and effective implementation.
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