FLASHBACK: It's 'senseless' to review Free SHS - Bawumia jabs Mahama

In August 2020, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia criticized former President and flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, for his comments regarding the Akufo-Addo administration's free SHS policy.

During his campaign for the presidency in the general elections that year, John Dramani Mahama stated that he would review the Free SHS policy if elected.

The free SHS program was estimated to have benefited around 1.2 million children in Ghana at that time.

John Mahama expressed his intention to convene a broad stakeholder and consultative meeting within the first 90 days of assuming office to discuss the way forward for an improved free SHS program. He also mentioned that the NDC would incorporate feasible and doable suggestions into their manifesto.

In response to these remarks, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia described John Mahama's statement as lacking sense or logic.

Read the full story originally published by Peacefmonline August 25, 2022,

Vice President of Ghana, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has fired shots at former President and flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress, John Dramani Mahama over his comments regarding the Akufo-Addo administration's free SHS policy.

The free SHS programme is said to have benefited about 1.2 million school children in Ghana.

First batch of the beneficiaries are currently writing their West African Senior School Certificate Examination.

But former President John Mahama has criticized the policy and vowed to review it if re-elected as President of the Republic in the general elections this year.

“ . . within the first 90-days after I take office as the President of Ghana, I will call for the arrangement of a very broad stakeholder and consultative meeting on the way forward for a better free SHS . . . The NDC shall ensure that all issues raised which are feasible and doable will be factored into the NDC manifesto,” Mr. Mahama.

In his response, Vice President Dr. Bawumia has described former President Mahama's statement as "senseless".

To him, it would be better for the former President to outline precisely what he will do with regard to his "review" of the free SHS programme but not make a general statement.

"You say you'll review it. It doesn't make sense," he said in an exclusive interview with Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo'.

He further jabbed Mr. Mahama and his NDC saying, "they will say anything that they think they should say to try and win elections".