Free SHS will produce a generation of fools, according to Dr. Sa-ad Iddrisu

He claims that the program's long-term results will produce a generation of "dummies" rather than benefit the country.

"Pardon me, but we are going to have a generation of dummies in ten to fifteen years," he stated.

"Akufo-Addo would have been remembered as the greatest president with Free SHS," Dr. Iddrisu clarified. To be honest, it's a great policy because you have a growing generation if you educate human resources. But in the end, the Free SHS has produced more than quality.

"To the extent that individuals enter universities unable to perform basic math," he continued. Professors at universities have publicly stated that; I am not the one expressing it.

The economist went on to say that Ghana's future is in jeopardy while appearing on the Joy News AM Show on Monday. He stated, "You wouldn't allow your mother, daughter, or son to receive care from such a nurse (a Free SHS beneficiary); that is what Free SHS is doing to our generation."

The generation of pupils who paid for their secondary education, according to Dr. Iddrisu, will be more prepared than those who benefited from the Free SHS program. He declared, "Our generation will be better off than the next generation that will come because you and I paid for high-quality education."

"Free SHS has not improved literacy at all," he added, adding that the scheme has not significantly increased literacy among Ghanaian children.

President Nana Akufo-Addo launched the Free SHS program in 2017 with the goal of ensuring that all Ghanaian pupils, irrespective of their financial circumstances, may receive a senior high school education.

Although that number has been contested, the departing president stated in November 2024 that the initiative had benefited more than 5.7 million pupils since it was implemented.

For example, according to African Education Watch, which cites Ministry of Education data, there are 3.1 million recipients.