How Free SHS programme transformed Thomas Amoani's life

In 2020, Thomas Amoani, a Senior High School graduate from Asuaba in the Eastern Region received public attention when he obtained ‘grade A’ in eight subjects during the 2020 West African Senior High School Certificate Examination (WASSCE)

Despite growing up in a poor home and walking 12 kilometres to attend school daily, he pushed through his dreams and finished his studies.

Today his story has taken a remarkable turn, as he recently graduated with first-class honours in Economics and Finance from a top university in the UK.

This information was shared in a recent post on X by the Patriots.

"The boy from Adeiso who dreamed of becoming an economist but poverty stood in his way found hope in President Akufo-Addo’s Free SHS. The generational poverty of Thomas Amoani’s family is broken," the post stated.

His story caught the attention of President Nana Akufo-Addo, leading him to receive a scholarship from the government to further his education as his parents did not have the means to assist him do so.

He did not only get his degree but also grabbed the ultimate prize in Economics and Finance for the 2023–24 academic year.

His story exemplifies the transformative impact of the Free SHS programme. But for the pro-poor policy introduced by government, Thomas wouldn't have made it to Senior High School and then to the university and his dreams of becoming an economist wouldn't have materialised.

In 2017, the Ministry of Education achieved a major milestone with the introduction of the government's Free Senior High School Programme.

This initiative aligns with goal 4 of the Sustainable Development Goals, which seeks to ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education, leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes.

The programme eliminates financial barriers that previously hindered some students from pursuing Senior high education. By covering feeding, textbooks, boarding fees and other charges that were previously borne by parents and guardians, it enables many students in the country, like Thomas to access Senior High School education without financial constraints.

The programme has bridged the gap between the rich and poor by creating an inclusive and equitable educational system.

JKB/ADG

Thomas Amoani graduated from Brunel University, London with first-class honours in Economics.

The boy from Adeiso who dreamed of becoming an Economist but poverty stood in his way found hope in President Akufo-Addo’s Free SHS.

The generational poverty of Thomas Amoani’s… pic.twitter.com/BWvKZ1DRul

— X Patriots (@TheTPatriots) August 5, 2024

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