Ghanaians 'roast' Mahama over calls to include private schools in Free SHS program

John Dramani Mahama, the Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress, has faced significant criticism for his proposal to include private schools in the Free SHS initiative.

During an engagement with the clergy at the Great Hall of KNUST on November 11, 2024, Mahama questioned why the government had excluded private schools from the Free SHS programme.

According to him, many parents have moved their children from private to public schools to take advantage of the Free SHS initiative, a shift he argued has led to overcrowding in some schools due to the high demand.

“When government started the Free SHS, they excluded the private schools. In Nzema, for example, there was a private school with many students, but after the Free SHS initiative began, parents withdrew their children and enrolled them in government schools. As a result, the government schools are now overcrowded.

“I suggested that private schools be included in the Free SHS programme to help accommodate more students and ease the burden of overcrowding in public schools,” Mahama said.

However, his proposal has met strong opposition from some Ghanaians who argue that the current system has drained the state’s coffers and strained the economy.

Critics have raised concerns about how the government would fund the initiative if private schools, known for charging high fees, are included.

Others also questioned Mahama’s credibility over his sudden reversal on the policy, noting that he had previously called for its review and suggested that parents who can afford to pay their children’s fees should be allowed to do so.

Read some of the posts below:

Imo this will collapse private schools. The way private schools run is different from government schools. Private schools need to make profit. They rely on parents to fund certain projects. The slow disbursement of funds will collapse the schools. https://t.co/5Ot5fZsSIn

— sey🇬🇭 (@derekatosey) November 11, 2024

I can assure you private schools don't want to be included in this policy!

Akosombo charges 12k as school fees, can the government pay it?

What policy analysis have you done about Free SHS to come to this conclusion? https://t.co/wHkUzcRkEX

— Kobby 💫 (@Quabena_Edwin) November 11, 2024

Mahama's statements, he initially suggested reviewing Free SHS to ensure sustainability, implying those who can afford should contribute. Now he’s promising to include private secondary schools in the Free SHS program 🤣🤣🤣 this man just want power https://t.co/x05TpBDNQi

— Andy 𓃵 🇬🇭 (@andydasty) November 12, 2024

Man made reference to isolated cases but the twitter is frustrated and rightly so. I can understand to some extent but in all, we need to support our private sector. It's the backbone of economy https://t.co/1KcH5IMkuN

— Savio (@Kojo_Etihad) November 13, 2024

The fact that politicians will lie and hide the truth of a failed system shows,

They will do anything to get power.

Because in the end that's all they want. https://t.co/aTZii7HREM

— KillCode (@KonaduJeff) November 12, 2024

it makes no sense! unless that school is privately operated but government funded, there isn’t any school like that in ghana https://t.co/3Z8kKwvhpy

— 🇬🇭 (@Ing_Frimps) November 12, 2024

This guy’s comeback will be worse than whatever hardship Akuffo Addo has caused. JM’s campaign lacks the substance we need to forge a better future especially out of the current crises.

He’s original message of a 24hr economy is unsubstantiated and his promises aren’t achievable https://t.co/4G4YWGr54L

— PUBLIC CONCERN (@zxie__) November 12, 2024

Well, Say goodbye to our already terrible education system. https://t.co/aTZii7HREM

— KillCode (@KonaduJeff) November 11, 2024

Someone who wouldn’t commit ¢2.2billion into Free SHS (2022) is giving more proposals today to increase the cost. Wonders shall never end 😆 https://t.co/YVpnWVY4yX

— One Dicky• Kweku Kendrick (@dickson_gh) November 11, 2024

The duality of a man who’s desperate for power lol. 😂🫠 https://t.co/lLeRHaumt2 pic.twitter.com/hWMtZte8ra

— Ayeduase Pulisic🟡⚫️🟢 (@quame_age) November 12, 2024

I read so many quotes and comments and took my time to watch this video. Herh Ghanaians we are our problem, we are so daft upstairs.

1. He only gave a specific case on which he will like to add some private schools to the free SHS policy just to reduce over population ; https://t.co/3hoUvBk9HL

— PONNET MUSIC 🇬🇭 (@iamponnet) November 12, 2024

The Ndc: Free shs is collapsing the country economy

Their leader👇🏿👇🏿: Lets add private schools who pays in 1000s of dollars to it 🤣🤣🤣 https://t.co/u9zKcJx5FJ

— oreᥫ᭡💎 (@muse0005) November 12, 2024

You want to add who? The public free SHS has drained our revenue more than we expected and you want to add the private schools? Charley just cancel it. https://t.co/JipvGiAOSn

— Deezy™ (@dennis_ew) November 12, 2024

Once again, Mr Mahama has failed to develop a better plan to adress the needs of Ghanaians.

- Why would the Government want to overburden itself by absorbing the total cost of a privately owned tax-paying business?

- Why would any Government want to reduce the resources… https://t.co/G2BPHZgGrB

— N. (@Boakyewaa_N) November 11, 2024