President-elect John Dramani Mahama has reiterated his dedication to preserving Ghana's Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy. He rejected claims that his administration intends to abolish it, labelling such assertions as baseless propaganda from officials of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) during the election campaign.

In an interview with Voice of America (VOA), Mahama clarified that these allegations were politically motivated and lacked any factual basis.

“Free SHS has come to stay, and it is not going anywhere,” Mahama stated. “Nobody is going to scrap Free SHS. What was said was political talk and gimmickry. We are going to maintain it. What we are going to do is get dedicated funding for it.”

The Free SHS Policy

The Free SHS program, introduced in 2017 under the Akufo-Addo administration, offers free education, boarding, and meals to students in public senior high schools. It has opened doors for many Ghanaian youths, particularly those from disadvantaged communities, to access secondary education.

Despite its successes, the program has faced issues such as overcrowded classrooms, insufficient facilities, and delays in releasing funds, which have affected its effectiveness.

John Mahama has expressed his commitment to maintaining the core benefits of the Free SHS policy while tackling these challenges. His plans involve ensuring a reliable funding system to reduce financial pressures and enhance the quality of education provided under the initiative.

Mahama’s Resounding Victory

John Mahama emphasised his dedication to maintaining the Free SHS program during his campaign, a message that resonated with many Ghanaians concerned about equal access to education. His decisive victory in the December 7 elections reaffirmed public support for his vision.

The Electoral Commission announced Mahama as the winner with 6,328,397 votes, or 56.55% of the total valid votes cast. He defeated his closest contender, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia of the NPP, who secured 4,657,304 votes, amounting to 41.61%.

This marks Mahama's return to the presidency, having previously led Ghana from 2012 to 2017. His campaign highlighted priorities such as reviving the economy, tackling corruption, and enhancing social programs, particularly in education and healthcare.

During the elections, the Free SHS policy was a controversial topic, with the NPP claiming Mahama would abolish it. However, Mahama refuted these claims, aiming to reassure parents and students who have benefitted from the initiative. He pledged to collaborate with education stakeholders to review and improve the policy, ensuring its sustainable and effective implementation.