Stop corruption to fund Free SHS – Catholic Bishop to Gov’t

The Bishop of Koforidua Catholic Diocese, Bishop Afrifah-Agyekum has urged government to reduce corruption to the barest minimum to enable it get enough money to fund the Free Senior High School Policy.

A Policy Think Tank, IMANI has estimated that Ghana loses over $3billion of taxpayer’s money through corrupt activities annually.

According to the Bishop, Ghana has enough money to fund the free SHS policy but corruption is dissipating financial resources of the country which if fixed will enable the country to save enough money for its developmental programs.

“I believe that Ghana has enough money, we have enough money that can handle this free SHS, all we need is to support the government and especially for Ghanaians to understand that it is corruption that is eating away the chunk of our hard earned monies in this country. If all of us live well and decently, transparently and do what is expected of us and stop corruption we will have enough money to run this country.”

He said Free SHS is a good policy, therefore, the challenges encountered must not be a discouragement.

“The Free SHS is a good thing and in spite of the challenges that as it were may have come up from the onset, definitely anything that is new will encounter some challenges and these should not discourage anyone of us into thinking that the Free SHS is not Working.”

Bishop Afrifah-Agyekum said this during an interview with Kasapa news at the ongoing 25th Mass Celebration of the Koforidua Diocese being attended by Eight Bishops from across the country including Archbishop Palmer Buckle.

The Koforidua Catholic Diocese continue to contribute to the development of the country particularly in the area of education and health.

The Diocese has since 1992 to 2017 increased Kindergarten from 118 to 193, while Primary schools have been increased from 252 to 264. Catholic Junior High Schools within the Diocese has been up from 146 to 188 while Senior High Schools have been increased from 8 to10.

The Catholic Diocese can also boast of Vocational institutions, Training colleges and a host of Health Facilities including the famous St.Joseph Orthopedic Hospital in Koforidua.

Bishop Afrifah-Agyekum tells Kasapa News, the Catholic Diocese has not asked government to hand over its schools to them but rather wanted government to make the Diocese a part of management of the schools for effective monitoring and supervision.