An investigative documentary titled "Empty Plates," produced by journalist Kwetey Nartey, has revealed serious defects in the implementation of Ghana's Free Senior High School (SHS) policy.

The documentary, which is yet to be aired on JoyNews, uncovered an acute shortage of food items in many senior high schools across the country, raising concerns among parents, teachers, and stakeholders.

Despite the policy's promise of providing three daily hot meals to SHS students free of charge, the excerpts of the documentary highlighted the challenges faced in meeting this commitment.

It showed that many schools are struggling with inadequate quantities and compromised quality of food served to students.

"It is all about the quantity. And the jollof too, its quality. The amount they serve on the table, very small," an aggrieved student shared.

This development has reignited concerns that have been raised for months about the alleged shortcomings of the Free SHS policy. The shortage of food items in schools could undermine the effectiveness of the policy and impact the well-being of students.

During the 2024 State of the Nation Address in Parliament on Tuesday, February 27, President Akufo-Addo emphasized the transformative impact of the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy, which has been implemented for over seven years. He called for an end to arguments against the policy, urging that its success should be acknowledged, and efforts should focus on improving it.

“Mr Speaker, Free SHS might be labelled by its detractors as a mere political slogan that must be demonised, but it is, in fact, a transformative programme that has broken myths and liberated minds.

“I am proud that the NPP government, under my leadership, has been able to bring this transformative policy into our education system. Mr Speaker, I believe the success of the Free SHS has answered its critics and the arguments about it should cease, and we should simply concentrate on finding ways to improve it.”