Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has stated that the Free Senior High School (FSHS) policy has significantly reduced the availability of housemaids for employment, as more girls are now taking advantage of the initiative.

He explained that parents are increasingly prioritizing their daughters' education, aiming for them to reach the highest academic levels.

As a result, the Free SHS policy has created opportunities for these aspirations to be fulfilled, leading to a noticeable drop in the number of housemaids available in Accra.

“Those  living in Accra, many of middle class cannot even find maids now, it's a problem for them because the parents of the maids have come and taken them back to school.”

The current secondary school enrollment ratio stands at 100 boys to 106 girls, marking progress toward gender parity.

Speaking at a community stakeholder engagement in Amasaman, Ga West Municipality on Monday, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia highlighted that the Free SHS initiative has benefitted 5.7 million children to date. He noted that secondary school enrollment had risen from 800,000 in 2016 to 1.4 million, with an additional 600,000 students enrolled through the policy.

This engagement is part of Dr. Bawumia's constituency-driven campaign, which allows the NPP Flagbearer to hear the concerns of local communities and devise strategies to address them under his leadership.

Held at ICGC's Shalom Temple in Amasaman, the event brought together religious leaders, traditional authorities, artisans, and youth groups for candid discussions.

Dr. Bawumia reaffirmed his plan to reduce public transport costs by 40% through the introduction of electric buses and cut electricity costs by 50% by generating 2,000 megawatts of solar power within the first four years of his administration.

He also emphasized the success of the Free SHS program, the expansion of vocational education and training (WET), and the digital transformation of public institutions such as the DVLA, Passport Office, and Registrar General’s Department, which has led to improved service delivery.

Additionally, the NPP Flagbearer restated his commitment to a new tax regime, promising tax amnesty for businesses and individuals, a 10-year validity driver's license with renewal every five years, and the procurement of 50,000 CCTV cameras for installation in district and regional capitals to enhance security and reduce crime.

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