Akufo-Addo’s Free SHS Legacy Criticized Over Mounting Debts

The Member of Parliament for Builsa South, Dr. Clement Apaak, has claimed that President Akufo-Addo’s true legacy in education is not the Free Senior High School (SHS) program but rather the substantial debts associated with it.

Dr. Apaak’s comments come in response to President Akufo-Addo’s recent State of the Nation Address, where he highlighted that 5.7 million students have benefitted from the Free SHS initiative.

However, concerns continue to grow over the government’s failure to settle arrears related to perishables, recurrent fees, and food transportation costs.

Adding to these concerns, Peter Attah Gyamfi, Eastern Regional Chairman of the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS), has warned parents to prepare for potential disruptions.

Speaking on Koforidua-based Bryt FM, Mr. Gyamfi, who also serves as the headmaster of Pentecost Senior High School, stated:”There are two options: either you give your child enough food and money, or he or she stays home.”

Speaking on Starr Today with Joshua Kodjo Mensah, Dr. Apaak accused the government of leaving the education sector in financial distress.

He said: “Look if we want to be honest, Free SHS is not Akufo-Addo’s legacy, it is indebtedness to Free Senior High School, which is the information available nothing more, nothing less.”

The President failed to tell you that examination malpractices since the first batch, or the first cohorts of the current policy who wrote their exams since 2020 have skyrocketed.

Even the current batch whose results have just been published if you are to see the WAEC statement.

The result was delayed because the government owed WAEC 118 million Ghana cedis.”

The remarks have sparked fresh debates over the sustainability of the Free SHS policy and the financial implications for the education sector in Ghana.