Leader of the Movement for Change, John Alan Kyerematen, has noted that one of the initiatives his administration would see to is the review of the Free Senior High School (SHS) programme.According to him, this has become imperative as the cost of implementing the "excellent" programme has become a challenge.

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In an interview on TV3, the former Trade Minister noted that the government's budget has been hit hard owing to the programme, hence the need for a more sustainable financing mechanism."Normally, for program implementation, after five years, you need a review. So in my own thinking, I feel that it is an excellent idea. We have made a lot of progress in terms of school enrollment. Fantastic results.

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But then the cost associated with the implementation of the Free SHS has had a significant impact on our national budget. And so if we are going to continue with the programme, we have to find a more sustainable financing mechanism for it," he said.On the matter, Deputy Finance Minister, Dr. John Kumah, has debunked speculations about the government's Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy burdening public purse.

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He clarified that the expenditure on Free SHS is not a significant factor compared to the country's overall budget and highlighted that the real concern is the nation's debt.In a recent interview before the 2023 mid-year budget review, Dr. Kumah emphasized that the allocation for Free SHS in the 2023 budget was GH¢2.9 billion, while the entire appropriation for the year amounted to GH¢228 billion.

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“It’s not true that Free SHS is a huge elephant in the room. The allocation for Free SHS in the 2023 budget was GH¢2.9 billion, and the entire appropriation for the year was GH¢228 billion. You cannot tell me that if you are spending GH¢2.9 billion out of GH¢228 billion, that is the elephant in the room. And this is covering over 1.3 million Ghanaian children. The elephant in the room is our debt, the interest payments we made.

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“The impact and benefits of Free SHS go to the core of the vulnerable and, of course, the future of the human resource of our country. And for me, that is non-negotiable,” he stated.He argued that spending GH¢2.9 billion out of GH¢228 billion could not be considered the "elephant in the room." Moreover, he stressed that the Free SHS program was instrumental in benefiting over 1.

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3 million Ghanaian children and was crucial for the vulnerable sections of society.

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