A professor of accounting and finance at the University of Professional Studies, UPSA, has cautioned against Ghanaians electing the flagbearer of the NDC, John Dramani Mahama since it would mark the collapse of the Free SHS program.
Professor Isaac Boadi who is also the Dean of Accounting and Finance at UPSA, speaking at ABC News’ Economic Symposium held in Winneba on September 16, 2024, held that pronouncements by John Mahama and his party big guns in the past are indicative of the fact that Free SHS is not safe should they win power.
“Let me not mince words, if the NDC wins the 2024 elections, there are clear indications that Free SHS will be dead. These people have never liked the idea of Free SHS” he stated.
He continued: “Prior to Akufo-Addo implementing Free SHS, the NDC, led by the former president, had many adverts made against it. How do you expect a group of people who never believed in the Free SHS idea to manage it if they win power?”
He went further to give instances of former President Mahama and his party executives speaking against Free SHS.
“The NDC, in the 2012 electioneering campaign, commissioned about 47 anti-Free SHS adverts, urging the electorate to reject Akufo-Addo and his Free SHS promise which, in the minds of the members of the NDC, was an impossible dream”. He gave the following instances.
Mr. Mahama, in the run-up to the 2016 elections had this to say; “Ghana must not implement Free SHS on the whimsical promises of a desperate politician. Many countries in Africa have failed with free education policies.
There have also been several comments made against Free SHS by the former President, John Mahama and other key figures of the National Democratic Congress.
• President Mahama on November 23, 2012, told the people of Okere in the Eastern Region that “Free SHS will collapse the education system of Ghana”.
• President Mahama at UCC in 2016 said “The Free Senior High School by the NPP is a political gimmick”
• Former President Mahama at the NDC’s Tarkwa unity walk strongly rejected the Free SHS policy stating that it is unwise to implement it.
• Mahama on November 25, 2017, stated that “Lalasulala Free SHS will fail”.
• Former President Mahama on his presidential primaries tour said to Akufo-Addo’s “Free SHS is not working”
• Former President Mahama again on October 1, 2018, reiterated his aversion to Free SHS stating that it will undergo a review and hinted on the possibility of the policy being scrapped because to him it is unthinkable to spend 2 billion Ghana cedis in free SHS and that it is seriously constricting government’s budget.
• The then Minister of Education, Lee Ocran, on 10th September 2012 said ”Free SHS can only be possible in 2032, in 20 years’ time”.
• Mahama Ayariga, on September 26, 2016, said “Choose Mahama’s education policy, it is better than Akufo-Addo’s Free SHS”
• Hajia Joyce Zeinabu, then National Women Organizer of the NDC in 2016, November 20, had this to say, “Free SHS will breed teenage pregnancies”
• The General Secretary of the NDC, Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketiah is on record to have said on October 1, 2018, that Free SHS is shambolic and that it will have to be scrapped.
• The National Chairman of the NDC, Elder Ofosu Ampofo also on 18th December 2018 said: “Double Track system is causing teenage pregnancy”.
• NDC MP for Adaklu, Kwame Agbodza, on June 19, 2018, said “Over concentration on Free SHS stifling funds meant for flood prevention”
• Adam Mutawakilu, former NDC MP for Damango said “Blame the mysterious deaths at KUMACA to overcrowding as a result of Free SHS”.
• Felix Kwakye Ofosu on May 14, 2018, had this warning for the government “You can’t use oil money to fund Free SHS”
• Joshua Akamba to Tempane SHS students ‘‘Reject Akufo-Addo for implementing such a shambolic education system”.
All the above commentaries, according to Professor Boadi, were made by the former president and some key figures in his party.
“This, it is obvious, points to the fact that the opposition NDC cannot be trusted for the continuation of Free SHS” he added.
The Accounting and Finance guru also warned any attempts by any regime to include private schools in the implementation of Free SHS.
“Any attempt to bring onboard private schools onto the Free SHS implementation will instantly collapse the program. Mr. John Mahama has said that if he becomes president, he will include private schools as part of institutions to enjoy Free SHS. It is dangerous. The financial impact on the state would be enormous. If the NDC wins power, don’t expect your children to enjoy Free SHS any longer” he concluded.
Source: Peacefmonline.com