Affluent parents can’t enjoy Free SHS - Rev Amoo Darko wants a review

Former Council of State Member, Nii Amoo Darko has asked for a review of the Free Senior High School policy implemented by the New Patriotic Party under President Akufo-Addo.

Speaking to Nuong Faalong on Hot Issues on TV3 which airs Saturday 12:30 pm, he said it was not fair to have affluent parents on the scheme.

This, Rev. Amoo Darko who is also a member of the Peace council believes, makes the rich to unduly compete with poorer people who need the financial relief.

According to him, the current implementation of the policy is problematic and the relevant stakeholders need to review it.

His comments come after former president, John Dramani Mahama came under backlash from the ruling NPP after he criticized how the policy is being run.

Rev Nii Amo Darko advised the NPP to pay attention to the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta’s take prior to the implementation of the policy and implement accordingly.

The finance minister had in 2018 suggested that SHS policy must target the vulnerable ones who lack the financial capacity and allow those with the means to pay for their children continue to pay fees.

“I can’t take my child to Achimota or Ordogonnor and then leave him or her and drive away and Ken Ofori-Atta not pay anything while I can pay for 10 people. You need to be able to get the data to then be discriminatory in how and who pays and who doesn’t pay,” he said.