P. C Appiah-Ofori Explains Free SHS Funding

Firebrand NPP MP for Asikuma Odoben Brakwa in the Central region, Paul Collins Appiah-Ofori says Nana Akufo-Addo’s free SHS proposal is feasible and must be supported.

He said the level of waste associated with the running of government business alone was an indication that when properly checked, the state could easily generate more revenue to fund the-muck-talked about education policy.

Mr. Appiah-Ofori in a news release to throw more light on how an Akufo-Addo government would fund the free SHS policy said “Immediately Nana assumes office; he would put in place measures to prevent payroll fraud, under invoicing, crude oil smuggling and other financial malpractices.”

“Additionally, Nana would direct the deployment of the Ghana Navy to the oil field area to prevent smuggling of crude oil and loss of revenue. The results being that large sums of money hitherto lost to the state shall be retained to be used to support the free SHS.”

He said for instance that in 2011 alone, payroll fraud together with unauthorised payroll expenditures cost Ghana GH¢1.4 billion saying it was an indication that if the rot in the system was curbed, more funding could become available for the free SHS.

“In 2005 for instance, I was contracted by the Revenue Agencies Governing Board (RAGB) to audit certain private companies to determine their compliance with their tax obligations and I detected in my auditing that almost all the companies were engaged in under invoicing of their imports and sale of finished goods, resulting in huge losses of import duties and VAT which caused the state huge losses.”

He said “Certain personalities including the Minister of Education have publicly challenged Nana’s ability to implement the free SHS and their argument centred on availability of funds for implementation but it must be put on record that the NPP is capable of delivering on this promise.”

He said if the NPP flag bearer puts in place sound measures to curb waste and fraud in government business there was no reason why more funding should not been available for a successful implementation of the policy.

Mr. Appiah-Ofori put on record that free SHS does not include fees such as PTA dues, extra classes and other costs, adding “The fees Nana says he will make free are fees payable by parents on behalf of their children and wards to the state of Ghana.”