Akufo-Addo jabs Free SHS critics

PRESIDENT Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo says he has braved the ultimate hell of criticism and doubtfulness for the implementation of the Free Senior High School (SHS) programme, demonstrating a toughness that has put many of his detractors and critics to shame.

Speaking at a durbar held in his honour at Beposo in the Sekyere Central District on day two of his working visit to the Ashanti Region, President Akufo-Addo stated that many doubted his solemn sincerity to implement the Free SHS policy which was a flagship programme of his campaign promises in the last general election.

According to him, his government is not only delivering on the Free SHS programme, but also other programmes such as Planting for Foods and Jobs, One-District-One-Factory (1D1F), well as One-District-One Warehouse.

“Ghanaians now know I did not promise them in vain. Those who said I could not implement the Free SHS programme might have been ashamed by now. They thought it was a political gimmickry to win votes; far from it. We want all Ghanaian children to be in school,” he stressed.

President Akufo-Addo said his government had also reduced electricity tariff to bring relief to consumers and boost industrial growth in line with the greater commitment to deliver jobs for the teeming youth.

He thanked the Paramount Chief of Beposo, Nana Boamah Kwabi IV for the release of 400 acres of land for the government’s IDFI project, while he pledged to construct a bridge on River Fram and construct the Beposo-Nsuta road.

He disclosed that rural communities in the Sekyere Central District would also benefit from government’s rural electrification programme beside the flagship programmes.

The chief praised President Akufo-Addo for his ingenuity, sincerity and commitment to develop the country, intimating that the Free SHS programme had helped more than 500 children at Beposo to access secondary school education.

He declared his readiness to support government to achieve its Planting for Foods and Jobs programme, pointing out that not only had he released 400 acres of land for the 1DIF project, but had also given out 5,000 acres of land for the cultivation of cassava.

He added that he had again given out 1,000 acres of land to the Ashanti Regional Council of State member, Nana Owusu-Achiaw Brempong, and another 10,000 acres to NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako for similar purposes.

The Beposohene was also grateful to the President for the award of contract for the Nsuta-Beposo road.

He presented Kente cloth each to President Akufo-Addo and his wife, Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo to show his appreciation.