Nana lauds Otumfuo over Free SHS

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has lauded the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, over the successful implementation of the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy.

He stated that two proud grandsons of Asanteman, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh aka ‘Napo’, the Education Minister and his deputy, Dr. Yaw Adutwum, had successfully introduced the policy.

The president said it is in the right direction for the Asantehene to also be praised for blessing the country with the two visionary and hardworking personalities, whose services are benefitting the country.

“Otumfuo, on behalf of Ghanaians, I am thanking you for blessing our motherland Ghana with your two unique grandsons, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh and Dr. Adutwum of Manhyia South and Bosomtwe constituencies respectively.

“Ghana is proud of them as they have worked tirelessly and have been able to successfully introduce the free SHS policy, which will enable our youth to be properly educated”, Nana Akufo-Addo said.

The president was addressing a colourful Akwasidae festival at the Manhyia Palace, which was graced by the Asantehene, an array of Asante chiefs, government appointees and people from all walks of life.

Nana Akufo-Addo stated that the free SHS programme is one of the best things to ever happen to the country since it attained independence over 60 years ago, urging the citizenry to support the programme.

According to him, the free SHS programme was met with a lot of resistance by political opponents of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), but the hard work of Napo and his team, had put the detractors to shame.

He said the free SHS policy had ensured that over 90,000 Ghanaian youth had admission into school when the policy was introduced last year with the number increasing to over 180,000 this year.

The president indicated that the double track system, which is about to be introduced to contain the swelling numbers of students, is the best and therefore he is fully in support of the policy, since it will work.

Highlighting on some of the positives of the double track system, he stated that the system would lead to smaller classes and more learning hours for students, among others.

“The double track system is one of the best education systems and it has worked in so many countries, therefore it will also work in Ghana”, he stated, attracting wild applause from the gathering.