Realization of the Free SHS policy has silenced my critics – President

The Minister of Education, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh has attributed the success of the implementation of the Free SHS programme to the determination of President Akufo-Addo.

The Minister who noted that “SHS students had a unique journey”, added that he believes “the Free SHS policy will be regarded as one of the greatest legacies of the Akufo-Addo presidency”.

The Free SHS Policy was officially launched by President Akufo-Addo at the West Africa Senior High School (WASS) at Adenta in the Abokobi/Madina Constituency in the Greater Accra region amidst hiccups the roll out of the programme has encountered.

Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo says he has silenced his critics with the realization of the Free SHS policy.

“When I proposed this policy in 2008 many said free SHS could not be done. The idea was ridiculed and described by propagandists as a vote-buying gimmick, even though ironically, it did not win that election.

I was labeled a liar by my opponents who went on to say that free SHS could only be possible in twenty years’ time. “Nonetheless the Ghanaian people were discerning and believed it was possible.”

The Free SHS programme started across the country on Monday, September 11, 2017. While some schools had a smooth and well-organized process, others have several hiccups that almost dented the programme. While some fresh students and their parents are happy to have secured admissions, others were frustrated, upset and confused.

The challenges ranged from errors in the placement of the BECE candidates to communication about procedures and processes of enrollment. Others had also been placed in day schools far from their residences.