'You have failed as a responsible journalist' – Kwasi Kwarteng fires back at Bridget Otoo over SHS expenses claim

Spokesperson for the Ministry of Education, Kwasi Kwarteng has refuted claims by journalist Bridget Otoo that a first-year day student would need more than GH₵600 to purchase the required items listed in the prospectus.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on November 5, 2024, Kwarteng defended his previous statement, maintaining that GH₵600 is sufficient for a new student to buy essentials such as sandals, a calculator, and a school bag.

He accused Bridget Otoo of failing to verify information before making statements.

"I am not a liar. It is you who have failed as a responsible journalist. You’re so quick to believe anything that makes the government unpopular," Kwarteng wrote.

"Your partisan colouration is too grave. Be professional & read wide!" he added.

In his post, Kwarteng also questioned the relevance of certain items on school prospectuses, asking, "And who buys a cutlass to school again?"

The exchange follows Bridget Otoo’s November 4 post, where she disputed the GH₵600 figure, stating it cost over GH₵3,500 when she recently raised funds for two SHS students.

Read the tweets below:

I am not a liar. Is you who have failed as a responsible journalist. You’re so quick to believe anything that makes gov’t unpopular. Your partisan coloration is too grave. Be professional & readwide! https://t.co/iUOlTZQPRE pic.twitter.com/0aWbDg8yy6

— Kwasi Kwarteng (@KwasiKwartengF) November 5, 2024

You are a liar. I raised for funds for two SHS girls on this app and the items were over 3500 cedis! Chop box alone is around 250, I’m sure it’s even gone up… How much is cutlass? uniforms? https://t.co/tjftyyQ4th

— Bee (@Bridget_Otoo) November 2, 2024