A political science lecturer at the University of Ghana, Professor Ransford Gyampo, has voiced his criticism of the current structure of the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy.

He contends that the policy falls short of upholding quality educational standards.

During the launch of the Relief and Aid International Educational Scholarship in Accra, Professor Gyampo suggested that directing the policy towards academically talented yet financially disadvantaged students could ease the financial strain on the government while preserving educational standards.

“Government is trying to provide free education to everybody, free SHS to everybody. But it knows it doesn’t have the resources to do it. But because we have promised that we will do it, we will do it at all costs, whether we can do it or we can’t do it, we will still do it. That does not promote quality education.”

Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, a founding member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), commented on the issue, pointing to recent corruption allegations within the Scholarship Secretariat as a sign of diminishing integrity in Ghana.

“We have seen quite a lot in this country. Normally, scholarships are meant for the needy. I went to university with a scholarship. I went to secondary school with a scholarship. I schooled with a scholarship. But now scholarships meant for the needy are given to those who don’t need them. It tells you that integrity is at its lowest level in Ghana at the moment.”