Mahama promises free WASSCE registration

Ghana’s president is promising to absorb the West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination [WASSCE] registration fees for all Ghanaian students in his second term.

Giving highlights of the 2016 manifesto of the National Democratic Congress in Accra Tuesday, President John Mahama put out what some have viewed as audacious promises in the education sector.

Mr Mahama said the next NDC government will “fully absorb WASSCE registration fees for all Ghanaian candidates,” including registration fees for those who will be writing as resit candidates.

He underscored the importance of education, which he said, “remains the surest path to victory over ignorance, poverty and inequality”.

The president who is seeking a re-election to complete two terms in office said should he win this year’s December 7 election, he will review the capitation grant for pupils in public schools by 100 per cent.

In the area of medicine, he assured that he would in his second term, review medical training in the country to increase the number of Ghanaian trained doctors.

“[We will] ensure prompt payment of salaries and allowances of newly posted or promoted teachers via electronic processing & payment systems…[and] implement a policy/scheme to provide affordable housing for teachers,” he said.

The next NDC government, he said would resource the rehabilitation and construction of kindergarten and teacher training facilities, adding there will be an establishment of “Colleges of Education to specialise in the training of teachers for Early Childhood Care & Development”.

He said he would expand the School Feeding Programme to all public early childhood centres nationwide.

“We will endeavour to ensure our children receive the best quality education relevant for their future, in an environment conducive to learning provided by motivated, inspired and highly trained educators,” President Mahama said.