Free SHS Education Is Possible In 2013 – Parliamentarians

Two New Patriotic Party parliamentarians have affirmed the possibility of the implementation of the free Senior High School (SHS) education policy in 2013.

However, they advised Ghanaians to ignore the political gimmicks being peddled by the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) on the policy and vote massively for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to benefit from it.

Professor Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi, NPP MP for Techiman North and Professor George Gyan-Baffour, NPP MP for Wenchi, gave the assertion when addressing supporters of the NPP at a rally at Krobo in the Techiman North Constituency.

It was to formally launch the campaign of Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi.

They took turns to address the enthusiastic supporters emphasising that resources for the implementation of the policy was not a challenge but what was important was for Ghanaians to vote for the NPP.

Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi, a former Minister of Education and Director General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), said the free SHS education policy was the only way the Government could bridge the wide gap between the rich and the poor in quality education delivery.

He said the NPP was aware that school fees were high and parents could not afford to pay indicating that with such a policy in place, school dropouts would drastically reduce next year.

Prof. Gyan-Baffour, a former Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Planning admitted that though the country’s financial base was in serious crisis, because of the poor administration of the NDC Government, the NPP had other alternatives to finance the implementation of the policy for a longer term.

He was hopeful that the electorate would vote for the NPP to see remarkable improvement in their standards of living.

Mr Yaw Adomako Baafi, NPP National Deputy Director of Communication, advised media practitioners to vote for the NPP in appreciation of the repeal of the criminal libel law.

He said the vibrancy of the media to national development was as a result of the repeal of the law, which in the past stood strongly against the freedom of the press.

Mr Baafi explained that the NPP was appreciative and understood the role of the media and would ensure that the media was empowered well to enable it function well.

He said the NPP Government elevated the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ) into a university status, because it was poised to ensure a well trained media personnel that would work effectively for national progress.