Government's Debts Owed CHASS: We will demand answers over Free SHS cash – Dr. Apaak

The Deputy Ranking Member of the Education Committee of Parliament, Dr. Clement Abas Apaak, says the incoming John Mahama administration will demand answers about the utilization of funds for the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy over the last eight years.

The Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) has called on the Minister of Education (MoE), Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, to fulfil his assurance regarding the release of funds to support school operations.

This reminder comes after a recent Zoom meeting on December 18, 2024, where the Minister made this promise.

In a statement on Monday, December 23, CHASS recalled the Minister’s commitment made during the Zoom meeting on December 18, 2024, where he promised the release of funds to facilitate smooth school operations.

The group has called on the Ghana Education Service (GES) to release the necessary funds before the reopening of schools on January 3, 2025.

Commenting on the development, the Deputy Ranking Member questioned how the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration utilized the monies approved in Parliament for the Free SHS Programme.

“According to CHASS, if the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government fails to pay outstanding funds before January 3, 2025, the scheduled date for reopening, it will advise against the resumption of the academic calendar.

“The question is, how did we get here when every year since 2017, we have approved in Parliament all allocations and requests made to fund the Free SHS Programme?” the Builsa South lawmaker asked.

He continued: “What exactly has the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia NPP government been doing with the funds we have been approving in Parliament to fund the Free SHS Programme?

“The day of reckoning is here. We will be demanding answers regarding the utilization of funds approved to implement the Free SHS policy from 2017-2024 in the national interest.

“Indeed, Ghana deserves better and will get better under John Mahama.”