Free SHS popular but unsustainable – Terkper

The former Finance Minister Seth Terkper, has described the free SHS policy as a lifelong commitment to Ghanaians which may be unsustainable.

His comments come after the Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta on Wednesday announced government’s intention to set up a voluntary educational fund to assist with the government’s flagship policy.

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

But speaking on Morning Starr Thursday, Mr. Terkper questioned why there was no mention of such a fund in the previous budgets.

He suggested that the decision by government to set up a voluntary fund to appeal for support for the free SHS is an indication that the policy is not sustainable.

“We are making probably a lifelong commitment…where it may be difficult for any government to reverse it because it is popular. If it is not fiscally sustainable, then it means you are borrowing,” Mr. Terkper said.