Free SHS: NPP’s ‘susu’ fund will fail – Adongo

The Member of Parliament for Bolgatanga Central Isaac Adongo has urged the Akufo-Add-led government to devise other innovative ways to fund the free SHS policy and not resort to what he describes as ‘Susu collection’ from the public.

His comments come after the Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta on Wednesday announced that a Voluntary Education Fund is being set up by government as part of moves to rally Ghanaians to willingly support the education sector.

The Education Ministry, according to Mr. Ofori-Atta, is working closely with the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GET Fund) to fine tune the modalities of the Voluntary Fund.

Presenting the 2018 Budget Statement and Economic Policy in Parliament, Mr. Ofori-Atta disclosed the Voluntary Education Fund will “enable Ghanaians make voluntary contributions to support education.”

But the minority in Parliament says the call by the government to willingly support the Free SHS policy is a clear indication that the flagship policy of the NPP government is unsustainable.

Speaking on the Morning Starr Friday, Hon. Adongo who described the voluntary fund as a ‘Susu Account’ said the move by government is not the best way to secure funding for the policy.

“The voluntary education fund the NPP government is talking about is a ‘Susu Account’…they [government] should find a better way of funding our education and stop resorting to this susu fund…it will not help us.

“If I have enough money won’t I give it to my constituents…it won’t even be enough for my constituents,” Mr. Adongo told host Francis Abban.